Thai ace eyes first PGTA win

Foreign aces, led by Thai Pasavee Lertvilai, are out to break the local pros’ romp in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia when the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open starts Wednesday at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Twice, Lertvilai came close to a maiden PGTA crown. He lost in a playoff against Rene Menor at Splendido last September and faded in a final-round showdown with Zanieboy Gialon and Justin Quiban at Wack Wack two weeks ago, settling for joint third in the fourth leg of the region’s newest circuit topped by Tony Lascuña.

Indonesian Ian Andrew, on the other hand, battled touted Filipinos Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que for three days, only to fade in the final round and finish third in the PGTA kickoff leg at Manila Southwoods last August.

Other foreigners expected to contend in the $100,000-event are Thai Wisut Artjanawat, Americans James Bowen and Paul Harris, and Australian Andrew Campbell. —ROY LUARCA