Pagunsan, who dominated the field to rule last year's staging of the final leg of the 13-stage local circuit, was earlier scheduled to play in Thailand on the Asian Tour which starts tomorrow (Thursday) but opted to head back home from Hong Kong where he finished joint 38th in the HK Open last week.
His presence is expected to further raise the level of play in the 54-hole tournament with the smooth-swinging Bacolod pro out not only to defend his crown but also to wrap up the Order of Merit crown of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
A two-leg winner this season, Pagunsan leads Jay Bayron in the money ranking with three-leg champion Marvin Dumandan all primed up to go for a fourth one after winning the last two legs at ICTSI-Royal Northwoods and ICTSI-Mimosa.
Pagunsan drew the 11:30 a.m. flight on No. 10 in a group that includes Rufino Bayron and amateur Richard Joson although the late tee-off is not expected to slow down his bid for the top P200,000 purse in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Pagunsan leads the race with P917,332 while Jay Bayron has winnings of P830,817 and Dumandan in third with P731,973.
Coming off with a playoff victory and a four-stroke romp in the last two legs, Dumandan sets out for the tournament in high spirits, confident of
pulling off a victory over a field toughened up by the return of three fancied players and Merit contenders.
Jay Bayron, winner at Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu and No. 2 in the current OOM ranking, is back, along with No. 4 Artemio Murakami and No. 6 Tony Lascuna, hoping to foil Dumandan's bid in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
"The course is in great shape and I think the key here will be on the tee shot and putting," said Dumandan, who is actually shooting for his fourth victory after topping the ICTSI-Sherwood Hills Classic last March.
With the fairways a bit wet due to rain the last few days, Dumandan said driving would be crucial while likewise putting weight on putting which he said could make or break one's title bid.
Also tipped to contend for the last leg crown in the circuit are ICTSI-Orchard leg winner Benjie Magada, Del Monte champion Cassius Casas, Ferdie Aunzo, Anthony Fernando, Rufino Bayron, Antonio Asistio, Jun Bernis and the debuting Jhonnel Ababa, who calls the challenging par-72 layout his home.
Reigning Philippine Open champion and ICTSI-Malarayat leg winner Elmer Salvador is also expected to crowd the favorites with the soft-spoken Davaoeno hoping to check his slump in preparation for his RP Open title defense next month.
The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio
23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf and Odyssey and media
partners BusinessMirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of
Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.(pr)
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