PGT Mindanao swing starts

The Philippine Golf Tour starts its grueling season-ending stretch down south Wednesday when the P2.5-million ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship tees off in Cagayan de Oro City.

This will be the first of four legs played in Mindanao, with the well-manicured course to test a talent-laden field.

Jay Bayron, Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Elmer Salvador and Clyde Mondilla are the favorites among the locals.

Del Monte will host the next stop on Sept. 18 to 21 while Davao takes its turn on Oct. 2 to 5 for the Apo Golf Invitational before the circuit caps its 10th season at South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates, also in Davao, on Oct. 9 to 12.

But Bayron, Mondilla and company also expect a fierce challenge from the rest of the field, including Ira Alido, former PH Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas and veterans Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan and Zanieboy Gialon.

The young Alido, for one, is due for a breakthrough after blowing his title bid in the Aboitiz Invitational.