Jay Bayron hopes to start his bid for a third straight title on the right note as he battles not just a packed local field but also a powerhouse international roster in the first of four rounds of the Aboitiz Invitational, which tees off today at the Cebu Country Club in Banilad.
With the greens of the CCC becoming friendlier, the scores are expected to ratchet up in the $65,000 event of the Asian Development Tour.
Focus remains on the Davao-native Bayron, who won the crown last year for a second consecutive time with a four-under. He expects to do better this time around.
“I think 10-under is possible. The course is nicer now,” said Bayron in his statement to the press. Bayron is actually sitting in second place in the Order of Merit race in the ADT.
“It won’t be easy. There are just too many talented players in the field,” added Bayron, who also ruled the Aboitiz Invitational in 2010 as part of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour before it was included in the fledgling ADT circuit last year.
The foreign bets will be led by ADT OOM frontrunner Ryan Bullock of Australia, winner of the PGM Terengganu Masters in Malaysia last May. The others are Johor Masters champion Luke Bluemink, ADT Masters at A’Famosa winner Peter Richardson, Anthony Choat, also from Down Under, Hsu Chia Jen of Chinese Taipei, Jeremiah Kim of Malaysia and Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands.
The local front is also a talented one with Philipping Golf Tour OOM leader Tony Lascuna, Miguel Tabuena, Elmer Salvador, John Hay champion Marvin Dumandan, rookie Negros titlist Zanie Boy Gialon and recent Iloilo Golf Challenge champion Mars Pucay.
Angelo Que, after a near-miss at Manila Southwoods won by Lascuna, is also fancied to crowd the favorites as he tries to snap a long victory drought together with Frankie Minoza, who last won at ICTSI Wack Wack Invitational last December.