Local aces seek top finish in PGT Apo Invit’l

Davao’s homegrown talents, led by multi-titled Tony Lascuña, Jay Bayron and Jhonnel Ababa, gear up for a showdown on a course where they honed their talent and skills when the P3 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational is fired off tomorrow at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

“It’s nice to be back and play again at Apo. With all the young, talented players in the fold, it will be tough, but for sure, it will be fun,” said Lascuña, who ruled the last ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational in 2015, edging Miguel Tabuena by one.

The sponsoring ICTSI and organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. have lined up a seven-leg joust in the Visayas and Mindanao in the next three months, putting in focus the top championship courses in the regions. The provincial swing will also give the pros, majority of them from south, the chance to be with their respective families.

Meanwhile, Lascuña, Bayron and Ababa lead the other select pros in today’s pro-am tournament where they will be paired with amateur guests and officials of the event’s chief backers, including BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT.

But this week’s battle for the top P550,000 purse could narrow down to a slew of Davaoeños, who are expected to cash in on their local knowledge of the hazard-laden course which hosted the Philippine Open in 1995 and which also gives stunning views of Mt. Apo.

But Lascuña has downplayed the homegrown talents’ edge in familiarity with the course.