MANILA, Philippines – Angelo Que guns for a record third straight The Country Club Invitational crown when the rich P4.5 million event featuring only the top 36 local players tees off at the wind-swept layout in Laguna this Thursday.
Que, the British Open veteran, is the only man who has won the event two straight years and has been in his best form every year for the TCC Invitational that offers a handsome purse of P1.4 million to the champion.
Recent Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan, the champion in 2006 and 2008, is the other fancied bet in the field that also includes the legendary Frankie Miñoza and teen star Miguel Tabuena.
Marvin Dumandan finished second to Que by one stroke last year and will be taking another stab at the elusive crown.
The event is being held for the 10th straight year in honor of ICTSI president Enrique Razon’s father, Don Pocholo. It will again kick off the local ICTSI Tour where Pagunsan won four legs last year.
Jonel Ababa, who won three legs last year and was voted by his peers as their Player of the Year, will be making his first appearance in the TCC Invitational together with former Philippine squad teammate Mark Fernando and Jessie Balasabas.
Cassius Casas, the inaugural champion in 2003, Antonio Lascuña, Jerome Delariarte and Artemio Murakami are the other former winners in the fold.
The TCC is a unique tournament not only because of the huge prize money it offers. Even players who don’t make the halfway cut are guaranteed a significant sum.
As always, the winds will be the Country Club’s final line of defense as players are now equipped with the tools to conquer its length.
Meanwhile, the traditional 18-hole pro-am event, featuring the leading pros and ICTSI’s guests from various sectors and event’s sponsors, will be held on Jan. 25 as a prelude to the 10th staging of the TCC Invitational.