Aboitiz Invt’l gets going; Salvador eyes ‘three-peat’

Elmer Salvador starts his quest for ADT history today when the $100,000 Aboitiz Invitational tees off at the Couples course of The Riviera in Silang, Cavite.

No player in the fledgling tour has won a tournament three straight years, and the soft-spoken Salvador hopes to become just that against a horde of foreign aces and the country’s best.

The event will be played outside the Cebu Country Club for the first time in four years and many believe the layout is a tad easier to conquer than the adjacent Langer course.

“For me, it’s all about giving myself a chance to win in the final round,” Salvador said in Filipino.

Other notable Filipinos in the field are Antonio Lascuña, Angelo Que and the veteran Frankie Miñoza.

Leading the foreign charge is Scot James Byrne, who is fresh off a three-shot victory in Jakarta last Sunday. Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat is also a player to watch.

The Couples course has been lengthened to just under 7,100 yards, but rains that have peppered this part of the country for the last two days have only made it play longer.

“They stretched it all the way back,” said Lascuña after playing in the pro-am yesterday. “The rains have also softened the fairways and took away some of the roll.”

Jay Bayron, also seeking a record-equalling fourth leg win on tour, and Miguel Tabuena are the others given a solid chance to keep the Aboitiz title in the hands of a Filipino.

The tournament’s other backers: Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp and KZG, the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Media partners: ABS-CBN Sports & Action, Balls and Inquirer Golf.