Low scores seen as Aoki leg tees off

Juvic Pagunsan: Title favorite —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The talent-laden ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational tees off on Tuesday and low scoring is expected throughout the rest of the week even with the Aoki layout manicured as best as it can be and with rain forecast at least for the first two rounds.

“We expect low scores because of the caliber of the field,” Eagle Ridge general manager Boy Blue Ocampo said as the likes of Juvic Pagunsan and Angelo Que have signed up for the P2-million, 72-hole championship, taking with them vast experience from the Japan Tour and skills that have separated them from the rest in recent years.

The duo will actually play together in the first two rounds together with Dutchman Guido van Der Valk, the champion at Splendido last month via a playoff over Miguel Tabuena.

The roughs were slightly grown and the greens will be quick, though the course chosen by the organizers for this stop of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. will play just a shade under 7,000 yards.

The opening round of the 54-hole, P1.5-million ladies championship, where Chanelle Avaricio is favored, will also fire off and Avaricio, the winner of three of the first six legs of their circuit, will be up against basically the same field in her quest for another crown—and double the prize money—after organizers upped the ante from P750,000 starting with this leg.

Harmie Constantino, Chihiro Ikeda and Sunshine Baraquiel are the other notables in the ladies field.

Frankie Miñoza and Antonio Lascuña are also playing and certainly cannot be overlooked like some of the upcoming young stars like Ira Alido and Caliraya Springs winner Zannieboy Gialon. INQ