Big guns see 12 under as magic number

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon—With all par-5s reachable in two and most par-4s requiring no more than short irons, premium will be on putting when the Del Monte leg of the ICTSI Golf Tour fires off here today.

Most of the big guns believe that nothing short of a 12-under card for 54 holes is needed to prevail after the field sampled the course in yesterday’s Pro-Am.

Juvic Pagunsan is seeking to become the first man to win back-to-back legs in the Tour’s three-year history.

The tree-lined layout is in perfect shape, its greens receptive, and the tournament favorites’ length off the tee takes most of the hazards out of play, making for what could be an explosive week of scoring in the chase for the P200,000 champion’s purse.

Pagunsan will be up against the same field he left eating dust at Apo Golf in Davao, save for one—Angelo Que—who is returning to the circuit fresh from what he said was a two-week layoff to recharge mentally.

“If you consider that many of us will be putting eagle on all par-5s, that would make for at least four under (for 18 holes) if we play the other holes well,” former RP Open winner Cassius Casas said.

“Making it to the green is not a problem,” Benjie Magada said. “It will be a putting contest out there.”

The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Inquirer Golf Monthly, Business Mirror, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.