After finally breaking through, Arnold Villacencio will gun for a second straight victory on the ICTSI Tour at Canlubang, which hosts the season’s penultimate stop at the tough North course in Laguna starting today.
The long-hitting Villacencio, who snapped a 27-year winless spell with a playoff win over the fancied Miguel Tabuena two weeks ago at Summit Point in Batangas, looms as one of the men to beat in the P1.5-million tournament.
“I think I have a 90-percent chance to win again considering how well I am hitting it,” Villacencio said in Filipino during yesterday’s pro-am event ruled by the team of Randy Garalde and amateurs Robert Alarilla, Daudo Go and Arnold Chung with a 15-under 129 total.
Among the favorites are Jonel Ababa, Mark Fernando, Jessie Balasabas and Rufino Bayron who all know the Robert Trent Jones-designed gem like the back of their hands, having spent most of their amateur careers there.
Charles Hong is on the roster and is the highest-ranked player in the Order of Merit race at No. 5. He ruled the P2.5 million Sherwood Hills leg this year.
Tabuena, Antonio Lascuña, Elmer Salvador and Angelo Que will all miss the event as they will play in the Asian Tour’s Macau Open.
Defending champion Cassius Casas is seeking to become the first man to repeat in the circuit also backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports Phils. Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Mizuno, Empire Golf, Footjoy, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp, KZG and Rudy Project.