Salvador guns for repeat win at Riviera

Elmer Salvador opens his bid for a repeat victory in the P1.5-million ICTSI Riviera Classic that tees off Wednesday at the wind-swept, winding Langer layout in Silang, Cavite.

A wide-open battle is expected with many of the pro tour’s top players seeing action, including three-time Order of Merit champion Antonio Lascuña, Splendido leg winner Miguel Tabuena and the ageless Frankie Miñoza.

Miñoza, the former Champion’s Tour campaigner in the United States, will be playing alongside fellow former PH Open winner Salvador and Clyde Mondilla in the first two days. The trio will be teeing off at 7:20 a.m. on No. 1.

Lascuña, meanwhile, will be in the group teeing off on No. 10 at the same time with Keanu Jahns and fellow Davao native Jay Bayron.

Tabuena, who had been busy campaigning overseas in the weeks that the local tour was on a break, will be with Marvin Dumandan and Ferdie Aunzo in the first two rounds as they chase the P270,000 winner’s purse.

The Langer layout has proven to be one of the toughest tests in the circuit, especially if the wind blows.

Lascuña and the rest of the field know this.

“It’s a thinking player’s course,” said Lascuña, winner of five legs last year who is still seeking a maiden victory this season.

“You can never tell what will happen at Langer.” Musong R. Castillo