Shootout under way at Pueblo de Oro

THEIR recent performances ringing out like a warning to the rest of the field, Frankie Miñoza and Angelo Que set out as the logical favorites in the P1-million ICTSI Pueblo de Oro championship that gets going today in Cagayan de Oro.

Que triumphed the last time he saw action on local soil, routing the field in the P2.5-million Orchard Championship before taking a break in the next two legs of the pro tour organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

This will be the last leg of the circuit’s Mindanao swing and the in-form Miñoza has the chance to become the first player this season to win back-to-back events.

The reigning Japan Senior Open champion undeniably has the momentum, his victory in last week’s Del Monte leg in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon—nailed on a closing 9-under-par 63—still fresh in everyone’s mind.

The Pueblo de Oro tournament is set for just 54 holes and a good start will be handy since the course can yield very low scores.

Miñoza has won two tournaments this year counting his playoff victory over the Bayron brothers, Jay and Rufino, at the rich The Country Club Invitational in Laguna last February.

The 53-year-old former Order of Merit winner of the Asian Golf Circuit, the Asian Tour’s precursor, is actually using the Mindanao swing to prime up for the British Senior Open championship at Royal Birkdale in England.

Meanwhile, former Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador led his team, also made up of Jeff Rolida, Vic Tiu and Amador Que Jr., to victory in yesterday’s pro-am with a 55.

Salvador’s flight edged Tony Lascuña’s group of Marc Lu, Ryu Rolida and Tommy Jeong, who pooled a 56. Mark Fernando and amateur partners Marlon Santiago, Dennis Mijares and Rul Leonen placed third with a 57.

Incidentally, Salvador and Lascuña are aching to get back at Miñoza, who beat them by five strokes at Del Monte after starting the final round trailing Salvador by five and Lascuña by four.

The Pueblo de Oro leg is backed by Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp.