TAGAYTAY—Juvic Pagunsan, who in the last two months affirmed his status as a world-class talent, rejoins the local ICTSI Tour today as he leads a strong field vying in the P1-million Splendido Classic.
After serving out his suspension from the Tour in the latter half of last year, the 34-year-old sees action on home soil for the first time since late January, when he topped The Country Club Invitational, and sets out as the man to beat in the 54-hole event.
There are other formidable names out there, including the legendary Frankie Miñoza and teenager Miguel Tabuena, who plays for the first time in the country after making a head-turning run in the Philippine Open at Wack Wack last February.
Miñoza will be using the first leg of the circuit to prepare for the lucrative Japan PGA Tour that starts next month.
The Greg Norman-designed Splendido, carved out of the hills overlooking scenic Taal Lake, will test the field with its sleek greens and unpredictable winds.
Pagunsan, winner of the first three legs last season, is definitely a better player this year, having finished in a 35th place tie in the Cadillac World Championship in the United States.
He missed the PH Open to play in the European Tour in Dubai as the reigning Asian Tour champion.
Miñoza won the last leg at Wack Wack last year, coming back from seven strokes down in the final round to complete the most remarkable fightback in the history of the circuit.
It will also be interesting to see how the 17-year-old Tabuena copes with the pressure again, as he tries for a breakthrough win as a pro.
He started the last round of the PH Open just a shot off eventual champ Mardan Mamat of Singapore. But Tabuena couldn’t hold it together and shot an 81 to end up out of the top 10.
The Splendido leg is not a three-cornered fight, though, as veterans Antonio Lascuña, Cassius Casas, Jay Bayron and a slew of young pros led by three-leg winner Jonel Ababa are also in the field.
Bukidnon’s Clyde Mondilla and Q-School winner Banny Abaño will also make their debuts as pros in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.