MICHAEL Bibat, a week after a breakthrough pro victory, tries to make it two-in-a-row starting today when the P1 million ICTSI Del Monte Championship tees off in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
The tall and well-built Bibat triumphed last Sunday against basically the same field at Rancho Palos Verdes.
Del Monte has sloping, bending fairways and small greens, and no one knows the course better than the legendary Frankie Miñoza, the reigning Japan Senior Open titlist who is also seeing action.
Miñoza earned his spurs at the course inside a vast pineapple plantation.
Bibat and Miñoza are part of a 92-player field with the former shooting to become the Tour’s first player to win two titles this year.
Jay Bayron, the champion at Camp John Hay in Baguio, and Miguel Tabuena, the winner of the kickoff leg at Sherwood in Trece Martirez, Cavite, will join Bibat in the 7:30 a.m. flight.
Del Monte hosts an ICTSI tournament for the first time since 2011, when Mark Fernando won. The course is the site of one of the more controversial results in the young history of the circuit.
A year before Fernando’s victory, Elmer Salvador was stripped of a win and his group in the final flight—Richard Sinfuego and Juvic Pagunsan—were also disqualified for a final-hole infraction.
That allowed Cassius Casas, the former Philippine Open champ, to bag the championship after finishing natural third. That win was also the last in Casas’ career thus far.
The 54-hole event is being backed by Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp.
Fernando led his team to the Pro-Am title yesterday after shooting a 56 together with Titing Callo, Titoy Estenzo and Jun Balagot.