Best of the best clash in TCC Invitational

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines — Four former champions, including two seeking a record feat, and the top 26 in the 2018 Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit rankings slug it out in what promises to be an explosive start to the P5 million The Country Club Invitational today at the challenging TCC layout.

Juvic Pagunsan and Angelo Que launch their respective drive for a historic fourth TCC crown in separate flights, Frankie Miñoza makes a keenly awaited return to big-time golf, and Korean-American Micah Shin, the first non-Filipino to win here last year, tries to become only the second player to score a repeat in what has long been ranked alongside the Philippine Open for its prestige, prize money and stellar cast.

But the rest are also raring to go, including Phl Open champion Clyde Mondilla, who gets the rare chance to showcase his wares against idol and fellow Del Monte ace Miñoza in one of the key pairings ushering in the 15th staging of the annual event kicking off this year’s PGT’s milestone 10th season.

And the well-kept Tom Weiskoph-designed layout provides the fitting venue for these select players chasing the top P1.5 million purse, given its length, hazards, sleek putting surface and the unpredictable wind that could alter the character of each hole in an instant.

Redemption will be Pagunsan’s battle cry this week after the smooth-swinging shotmaker missed the cut in the Phl Open following a seven-shot romp at PGT Asia Riviera. He also seeks to bounce back from a joint 22nd place effort with Mondilla at Luisita.

Que launches his drive for that historic feat at 8:40 a.m. with young Korean Kim Joo Hyung and Macedonia’s Peter Stojanovski even as Phl Masters champion Jerson Balasabas tangles with Mhark Fernando and American Pete Vilairatana at 7:30 a.m.