Lascuña, Bayron top locals in ADT-Riviera

Antonio Lascuña and Jay Bayron are installed as the top local bets when the $60,000 Asean Development Tour’s ICTSI Riviera Classic tees off at the complex’s wind-swept Langer layout in Silang, Cavite.

After finishing tied for second behind Aussie Marcus Both at the Philippine Open in Wack Wack two weeks ago, Lascuña and Bayron will have momentum going for them in the 72-hole event where 17 countries are represented.

American Brett Munson, the Malaysian leg winner last March, and Thai Pavin Tangkamolprasert, No. 5 in the Order of Merit, are in the roster and will tee off with Lascuna in the 7 a.m. flight from No. 10.

Masaru Takahashi of Japan, Englishman Grant Jackson, Scotland’s James Byrne and Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand, all leg winners this year, have all come to make it a truly talented field.

The ageless Frankie Miñoza, a two-time Philippine Open winner and reigning Japan Senior champion, is also in the field and is expected to figure prominently in the title chase together with young gun Miguel Tabuena.

Lascuña, who won the Valley leg before the Open, and Bayron were just a stroke behind Both at the East course and both gave the tall Australian fits after a super-charged final round that came up short.

“I just ran out of holes at Wack Wack, but I feel confident about my [title] chances here,” said Lascuña in Filipino.

The event is being backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp and KZG with ABS-CBN Sports & Action, Balls and Inquirer Golf as media partners.