Crack field vies in ICTSI Negros Classic

ALL BUT one of the top 10 players in the Order of Merit ranking have confirmed participation in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic, making it a wide-open battle when the P1 million event is held July 18 to 20 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod.

Current OOM frontrunner Tony Lascuña heads the stellar cast that includes fellow two-leg winner Elmer Salvador, Jay Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Angelo Que, Jun Bernis, Clyde Mondilla, Ferdie Aunzo and Charles Hong. No. 3 Miguel Tabuena opting to skip the seventh leg of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour to compete abroad.

Juvic Pagunsan is the other fancied player out of this week’s event. The reigning OOM champion will compete in the British Open, one of the world’s four majors, as Asian Tour’s No. 1.

Frankie Miñoza is also in the Bacolod meet, hoping to finally make an impact following a series of so-so finishes in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, including a joint 17th place effort in the recent ICTSI Manila Southwoods.

Jhonnel Ababa is also tipped to contend for the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole tournament.

The other backers of the circuit are Sharp, Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact.