MANILA, Philippines—Former Philippine Open champions Frankie Miñoza and Angelo Que headline a crack field chasing the P450,000 purse in the P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship at the tough East layout in Mandaluyong.
Miñoza, the winner of the Philippine Open in 2008 at Wack Wack, and Que, who topped the country’s premiere event in 2007 also at the same course, are the fancied bets in the last of the 16-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.
Teenager Miguel Tabuena, coming off a creditable performance in an Asian Tour event in Malaysia, Artemio Murakami, Jay Bayron and Jhonnel Ababa are also seeing action in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Incorporated and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Asian Tour regulars Elmer Salvador, Antonio Lascuna and Mars Pucay are also expected to contend in the event that is adapting winter rules because of the rainy forecast for the week.
Tournament director Henry Arabelo said the rule could lead to low scoring in the 54-hole tournament.
“Winter rules can be in effect if one’s ball is in the fairway or any closely mown area and scoring would normally be better,” said tournament director Henry Arabelo.
Murakami, fresh off his victory in the BDO Invitational in Canlubang, two weeks ago, had complained of pain on his shoulder, but it hardly mattered yesterday as he powered his squad of amateurs Rep. JV Ejercito, Kit Dechaves and Richard Lim to the crown in the pro-am tournament with a 54.
The Murakami-led quartet edged the team of Antonio Asistio II and partners Jake Ong, Dominic Uy and Kenneth Flavier, who had a 56, while Gerald Rosales and teammates Jefferson Sy, John Braganza and Oliver Gan placed third with a 59.
The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.