With the big names opting to play in a more lucrative tournament overseas, the lesser lights take center stage when the P1.5-million ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship tees off Wednesday in San Rafael, Bulacan.
A compact field of 65 players will be chasing the P270,000 champion’s purse as the Philippine Golf Tour goes into the homestretch of a season that has seen its share of surprises.
Joenard Rates and Charles Hong, both leg winners this year, loom as the early favorites in the 72-hole event together with Jonel Ababa and veterans Ferdie Aunzo and Marvin Dumandan.
The Graham Marsh-designed layout will be a formidable test for the field as it is littered with fairway bunkers that could punish errant tee shots, making par a challenge.
Everyone has a great chance this week with the likes of Antonio Lascuña, Angelo Que, Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador and Cassius Casas opting to play on the Asian Tour. Ababa is seeking a follow-up to an Asean PGA Tour victory, while Hong and Rates are definitely in the hunt after ruling the Sherwood and Camp John Hay stops earlier in the year.
The reedy Benjie Magada, who booked a third-place tie in the Manila Masters a couple of weeks back, remains in good form and underscored it by leading his team composed of amateurs Nestor Sevilla, Nico Sevilla and Rodel Mangulabnan to the Pro-Am title Tiesday with a 14-under 130 total.
Magada and Co. nipped Ababa and Alex Ryu, Min Ivan and Ahn Yass (133) by three.
Rey Pagunsan, who partnered with Nel Madrid, Edgardo Santos and Elmer Magnate, lost in a countback to Ababa’s squad.
The event is backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp and KZG.