Elite field braces for Aboitiz shootout

Jay Bayron and Charles Hong expect no less than a shootout among the local aces and a crack inte0rnational field when the $ 100,000 Aboitiz Invitational is fired off Aug. 5 at the Manila Southwoods’ Legends course in Carmona, Cavite.

With the par-72 layout spruced up to championship condition and the elite field coming in top form following a series of tournaments here and abroad, a four-day battle of shotmaking, iron play and putting is expected with the two local pros predicting an 18-under winning total.

“Players will look for those birdies, and even eagles, to have an edge in the first two days. It would be one tough tournament. The local guys must be ready for it,” said Bayron, who won the inaugural staging of this event put up by Aboitiz Equity Ventures in 2011 in Cebu.

Bayron and Hong graced yesterday’s launch of the event serving as the 17th leg of the ADT and 11th of the ICTSI PGT.

“Given the depth of the field, around 4- or 5-under per day will be perfect. But the key here is to reach the green in regulation consistently,” said Hong, who humbled a stellar international field to win the ICTSI Luisita Championship in Tarlac recently.

“I would like to thank Jay and Charles for gracing the affair and their continuous support. We are very happy with the success of the Aboitiz Invitational and we are grateful to be a partner of this event with Philippine Golf Tour, ICTSI and the Asian Development Tour,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures senior vice president Ernest Villareal.

Aside from Bayron and Hong, the event will feature the cream of the country’s pro crop, including two-time champion Elmer Salvador and current local Order of Merit leader Miguel Tabuena, and the region’s leading players as they slug it out for the top $17,500 purse.

ADT OOM leader Hsieh Chihsien of Chinese Taipei, Malaysia’s Arie Irawan and Australian Jake Stirling spearhead the ADT campaigners in the event.