PGT reboot up at Luisita with Tabuena fancied

After a year of inactivity, the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour makes its restart on Tuesday with a 72-hole, P2-million championship at majestic Luisita in Tarlac with a field bannered by the past and present faces of local men’s pro golf.

Miguel Tabuena returns to the site of his biggest victory, Antonio Lascuña will try to relive his glory years and the revered Frankie Miñoza will try to turn back the hands of time as they headline a compact field in chasing the title over arguably one of the toughest layouts in the land.

Tabuena won a Philippine Open title at the Robert Trent Jones-designed layout and, despite also not having tournament exposure this year, is labeled as the player to beat.

Miñoza, Gerald Rosales and Clyde Mondilla are the other former PH Open champions entered and it would be interesting to see how the field navigates the traditional course which is not a long-hitter’s paradise and where accuracy and placement off the tees are premium.

A 54-hole, P750,000 ladies tournament also tees off, with Princess Superal, Harmie Constantino and Rianne Malixi expected to crowd each other for the top prize.

Luisita has been kept in tip-top championship form even during the pandemic and the humidity at this time of the year is also expected to factor in on both fields. INQ