Locals bets out to repulse foreign rivals at Luisita GCC

Thai Pasavee Lertvilai and Ian Andrew of Indonesia try to end a string of heartbreak finishes on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia as they head 41 other foreign aces seeking an end to the locals’ domination in the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open beginning tomorrow at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Lertvilai blew his first crack at the PGTA crown with a playoff loss to unfancied Rene Menor at Splendido last September and lost steam in a final round duel with Zanieboy Gialon and Justin Quiban at Wack Wack two weeks ago, settling for joint third in the fourth leg of the region’s newest circuit ruled by Tony Lascuña.

Andrew, on the other hand, slugged it out with the country’s top shotmakers Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que for three days, only to fade in the final day and finish third in the PGTA kickoff leg at Manila Southwoods last August.

But they will be as much tested as the Filipino bets with Lascuña hoping to ride the momentum of his recent victory, 2017 PGT Order of Merit winner Clyde Mondilla out to rebound from an abbreviated campaign at Wack Wack.

A select group of pros will test the par-72 course one last time in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am tournament where they will be paired with the amateurs and guests of the event’s chief backers, including Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc.