Tight race up at ICTSI Royal Northwoods

SANS THE big guns, the chase for the top P270,000 purse in the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship is expected to be fierce when the P1.5 million event fires off Wednesday at  Royal Northwoods Golf Club in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Antonio Lascuña, winner of the last three legs of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, is campaigning abroad  along with Elmer Salvador, Angelo Que, Miguel Tabuena, Jay Bayron and Cassius Casas but the field remains talent-laden with former winners Ferdie Aunzo and Marvin Dumandan leading the cast in the 13th leg of the 16-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Aunzo outlasted Rey Pagunsan and won by one for his maiden win in the inaugural season of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in 2009 but  went on a slump, missing two chances for a second pro crown. He wound up joint 16th in last week’s ICTSI Pilipinas Invitational at Manila Southwoods.

Dumandan topped the event in 2010, when he nipped Lascuña on the second playoff hole. Dumandan  finished ninth at Southwoods last week.

ICTSI Sherwood Hills champion Charles Hong is also in the fold along with ICTSI Orchard titlist Rufino Bayron, ICTSI John Hay leg titlist Jun Rates, recent Asean PGA Tour leg winner Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Anthony Fernando, Mhark Fernando, Zanie Boy Gialon and Mars Pucay.