Winless in the first seven legs of the Philippine Golf Tour, Tony Lascuña gets the chance to shine on home turf as the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic kicks off today at the famed Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao.
The five-time Order of Merit champion, whose fifth-place finish in Bacolod last month stands as his best showing so far this season, is determined to do well in the P3.5-million event.
Lascuña’s familiarity with the tight, tricky layout, where he grew up and honed his game, offers a comforting edge for the 54-year-old.
Joining him in the locals’ title chase are fellow Davao standouts Jhonnel Ababa, Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan and rising star Elee Bisera, all hoping to replicate last year’s strong showing when Ababa edged Guido van der Valk in a playoff to clinch the Apo title, with Bayron and Lascuña tying for third.
Meanwhile, a wild chase for the ladies’ crown looms in the LPGT Apo.
With a star-studded cast led by the return of multi-titled Princess Superal, Sarah Ababa’s bid for back-to-back victories will be put to a tough test.
This despite Ababa’s familiarity with Apo.
The P1 million championship has drawn a compact yet talent-laden field, brimming with subplots that could lead to another heart-stopping playoff finish.