Aboitiz golf returns to WW East

The Aboitiz Invitational returns for its ninth edition at Wack Wack’s tough-as-nails East Course starting Wednesday with a talented international field seeing action.

The event has become one of the most sought-out championships this side of the region for its prestige and prize fund, luring some of the leading campaigners and rising stars from other regional tours and featuring the cream of Philippine golf.

The $100,000 event has drawn another power-packed cast led by the regular campaigners on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia and those toughening up for other circuits outside of the region.

Wack Wack East, which used to be the home of the Philippine Open, is being spruced up and is expected to reach championship form in time for the event for a true test of golf.

Jay Bayron beat Gavin Green of Malaysia by two strokes when the Mandaluyong layout last hosted the event in 2016. The championship moved to Manila Southwoods the following year where Miguel Tabuena nipped Angelo Que by one in a thrilling finish then Australian Damien Jordan became the first foreign player to win the event with a four-shot romp over Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul at Orchard last year.

Bayron also topped the inaugural event in Cebu in 2011 then fellow Davaoeño Elmer Salvador scored back-to-back victories, also in Cebu, before Tony Lascuña beat Que by three at Riviera in 2014.