The long hitters will have the advantage when the Sherwood Hills leg of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour unfolds on Wednesday at the long, windswept Sherwood Hills layout in Trece Martirez, Cavite.
With the tour’s big guns opting to play in the more lucrative Indonesian Masters of the Asian Tour, guys who hit it long off the tees will have the inside track to the P650,000 champion’s prize.
Marvin Dumandan, who closed out with a course record-tying eight-under-par 64 at Eagle Ridge to finish second to Antonio Lascuña two weeks ago, is one of the prominent bombers off the tee with more than an even chance to prevail here.
Jay Bayron is the most multititled player left in the fold with Lascuña, Angelo Que and even Miguel Tabuena set to play in Indonesia.
Bayron is seeking his second win this season after seizing in come-from-behind fashion the Tour’s opening leg at Splendido.
Joenard Rates is also eyeing a second title this year after breaking through at the Camp John Hay Classic in Baguio, and he will have to outdo himself to conquer Sherwood and this tough field.
The traditional pro-am ushers in the event tomorrow where guests from tournament backers Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers, Titleist, Cleveland, Pacsports, Srixon, Callaway, Sharp and FootJoy and media partners Balls TV and ABS-CBN will be paired with the pros.