Pagunsan targets fifth-leg crown in ICTSI-Del Monte

JUVIC PAGUNSAN will be looking to extend his hot streak as he goes for a fifth-leg crown when he competes against a packed field in the ICTSI-Del Monte Championship, which tees off today in Bukidnon.

Except for one, the list of challengers includes the fancied players in the fold with reigning Order of Merit champion Jay Bayron back in the hunt after skipping the Apo leg, joining the likes of Angelo Que, Elmer Salvador, Artemio Murakami, Tony Lascuña, Marvin Dumandan, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Ferdie Aunzo, Mars Pucay, Miguel Tabuena and defending champion Cassius Casas in the P1-million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Missing in the roster, however, is homegrown hero Frankie Minoza, who begged off to honor a previous commitment to play in Japan. The two-time Philippine Open champion, who ended up joint 17th in Apo, would’ve posed a real challenge to Pagunsan owing to his familiarity with the Del Monte Golf Club layout, where he honed his talent and skills.

Still, the field is raring to foil Pagunsan’s crack at a fifth-leg crown with Que, winner at ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat, expected to rebound from a so-so finish at Apo, Bayron, coming off a joint 24th finish in the Thailand Open of the OneAsia Tour, going for his first leg victory, and Casas out to “defend” the crown.

Casas benefitted from last year’s final hole controversy where Pagunsan, Salvador and Richard Sinfuego were disqualified for an infraction on Rule 22-6 that has something to do with assisting other players. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio