Davao's Lascuna outguns Bacolod's Pagunsan to wrest control

Dabawenyo Tony Lascuna outsteadied Juvic Pagunsan of Bacolod and fellow Dabawenyo Ferdie Aunzo in their backside duel, ramming in two birdies and coming up with a couple of gutsy pars to shoot a one-under 69 and snatch a three-stroke lead in another topsy turvy day in the third round of The Country Club Invitational at the wind-raked TCC course in Laguna, Saturday. Lascuna birdied the long, tough par-4 10 to break out of a five-way logjam,came through with a slew of pars while his co-leaders got swept by the gusts then hit another birdie on No.16 to pull away from the star-studded field with a 36-33 card. That moved the dusky Davaoeno shotmaker 18 holes away from winning his second TCC crown with a 212, including a tournament-best 68 Friday that put him in a five-way tie with Pagunsan, Aunzo, Angelo Que and Marvin Dumandan. But his amazing backside performance, where he bucked the blustery wind with a solid shotmaking and steady iron game, virtually took the fight out of his erstwhile co-leaders, who faded out one after another and limped home with over par rounds in the toughest yet day of the tournament. With his two-over aggregate, Lascuna, winner of the 2005 edition of the P4.7 million event, pooled a 54-hole total of two-over 212, stood three shots clear of Que, the defending champion, who, in a flight ahead with Marvin Dumandan and Andrea Unson, regained a one-stroke lead at the turn with a 35 only to reel back with three bogeys in the last three holes in demanding condition. He wound up with a second straight 72 for a 215. Pagunsan, a two-time winner here like Que, stayed in joint second with a birdie on the par-3 17th but dropped to joint third at 216 with a bogey on the difficult par-4 finishing hole. Others with six-over totals were Frankie Minoza, who carded a 71, and Marvin Dumandan, one of the co-leaders halfway through the event put up by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon for the men of the tour but dropped out of the lead with a 73. Ferdie Aunzo, the other co-leader in the second round, tumbled down with a closing 40 and a 77, dropping into a tie with Omar Dungca, who made a 71, at 220. "Medyo sinuwerte lang at pumasok ang mga putts sa back nine (I just got lucky, my putts went in at the back)," said Lascuna, trying to match Que and Pagunsan's two victories in what has become the country's major golfing event. When asked what score would it take for him to wrap up the crown, Lascuna said an even par would do given the prevailing condition at the challenging layout. But with three of the most feared players chasing him, Lascuna would need a lower score to ensure the victory in the tournament also serving as the kickoff leg of this year's ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. Aunzo and Dumandan were virtually out of the title race at 220, and so do the likes of Benjie Magada and Elmer Salvador, who both had 221s after a 70 and a 75, respectively. Unson, meanwhile, zeroed in on the low amateur honors despite a 77 as she pooled a 222,five ahead of Lovelynn Guioguio, who had a 227 after a 79.(pr)

Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

LAUNCH.Golf patron Ricky Razon (center), chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., congratulates Jay Bayron, winner of last year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown during the launch of the circuit’s new season at The Country Club Invitational Wednesday. Also in photo are the other leg winners (from left) Dabawenyos Elmer Salvador and Cassius Casas, TCC Invitational defending champion Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, another Dabawenyo Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay and Benjie Magada.

Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

Tony Lascuna leaned on a fiery stint at the tough backside of The Country Club to fire a two-under 68 and force a five-way tie with first day leader Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, Ferdie Aunzo and Marvin Dumandan halfway through the P4.7 million TCC Invitational in Laguna, Thursday.

Lascuna, chasing his second title in the annual event, birdied the last three holes at the back, including the challenging par-4 18th, for a 32 as he wheeled back into contention after hobbling with a five-over 75 in the first round.

But it took Lascuna a birdie on the par-4 No. 5 to gain a piece of the lead at 143 as Que stumbled with a 72 while Pagunsan, Aunzo and Dumandan fought their way back with 69 and 70, respectively, for cracks at the first ever crown in the tournament put up by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon.

This marked the first time in nine years that a crowded leaderboard emerged after 36 holes of the tournament, hinting at wild, wild race for the top P1.4 million purse.

The five took a two-stroke lead over Frankie Minoza, who blew a one-under card at the back with a 73 for a 145, while Elmer Salvador stayed in the hunt at 146 after a 74 as the rest of the field continued to struggle under demanding conditions.

But no lead is safe at the TCC layout with the wind expected to further in the weekend play of the tournament, serving as the kickoff leg of the 2011 ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.

Que, who opened with a one-shot lead over Frankie Minoza, Elmer Salvador and Omar Dungca in the first round, tumbled down after making three bogeys in a birdie-less stint at the back. But the defending champion picked himself up at the front with a birdie on No. 5 while parring the rest of the holes to salvage a two-over card.

Like Lascuna, Dumandan sizzled at the backside with a 33 but the three-time leg winner in last year’s circuit lost his touch at the front with two bogeys and missed the chance to grab the solo lead.

Aunzo, meanwhile, shot the tournament’s first bogey-free round, a one-under 69 he spiked with a birdie on the par-3 No. 17, putting himself in contention for the season’ first golfing jewel.

Pagunsan also bounced back from a so-so opening of 75 as the two-time champion strung up a pair of 34s to match Lascuna’s 68 and make it a five-way logjam heading into the final 36 holes.

Andrea Unson, winner of the recent Philippine International Junior Golf Championships, surged ahead in the amateur side with a 72, tying Minoza in sixth and posting a three-shot lead over ICTSI teammate Dottie Ardina, who had a 71, and erstwhile co-leader Lovelynn Guioguio, who skied to a 77, who both had 148s in a tie with pro Jun Bernis, had a 73.

Dungca stood a shot farther back at 149 after a 77 in a tie with Michael Bibat, who made a 76, while Artemio Murakami, winner in 2009, turned in a second straight 75 for a 150 for joint 14th with Orlan Sumcad, had a 72.pr

PAGUNSAN

DUMANDAN

LASCUNA

Top guns begin quest in P4.9M TCC Invit’l

An elite 36-player field, featuring the cream of the country’s pro crop, sets out in the rich The Country Club Invitational beginning Thursday, Jan. 27, each one raring to put on low scores on a tough TCC course that requires accuracy and mental toughness.
The last two results of the annual P4.7 million event ended in lopsided fashions with Angelo Que beating Juvic Pagunsan by five strokes last year and Artemio Murakami romping off with a record 13-shot rout over Que in 2009.
But this week’s battle for the top P1.4 million purse is tipped to go down to the last putt or perhaps wind up the way it did in 2006 when Pagunsan, a Bacolod native, nipped Frankie Minoza of Bukindon in a playoff.
For one, Que and Pagunsan will be the men on a mission, each seeking to become the first player to score three wins in what has become the country’s golfing major in terms of prize money and participation.
Murakami and former winners Tony Lascuna and Cassius Casas of Davao and Jerome Delariarte are also raring to score a repeat while Minoza and the rest of the field are going flat out to nail the big one.
That should make the first two rounds doubly interesting with the big guns, save for one or two, avoiding an early clash of will and shotmaking skills by landing in separate flights.
Que, who also ruled the 2007 staging of the annual event sponsored by golf patron and ICTSI chief Ricky Razon, is paired with Danny Zarate and fellow former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales in the 8:40 a.m. flight on No. 1.
Pagunsan, who also won in 2008, tees off next at 8:50 a.m., hoping to get going against Gene Bondoc and Ruben Sasutil while Murakami opens his bid at the back in the company of Richard Sinfuego and Albin Engino at 8:35 a.m.
Minoza, whose presence in the event has become an inspiration to the young talents, drew Lascuna and Ebarra Quiachon in the 8:30 a.m. flight, just ahead of Que and Pagunsan’s groups.
Others in the hunt are Dabawenyos Jay Bayron, who won last year’s Order of Merit crown, Marvin Dumandan, the winningest player on the tour last year with three victories and Elmer Salvador,  Mars Pucay,Benjie Magada and Antonio Asistio II.
No less than a strong start is expected from this talent-laden cast, each out to build confidence and momentum heading into the weekend play of the 72-hole championship, which also serves as the kickoff leg of this year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
Meanwhile, this year’s circuit was launched during yesterday’s traditional pro-am tournament which featured a select group of pros and a banner roster of players from the business sector and other fields, headed by Razon.
The second placer will receive P690,000 while the third, fourth and fifth finishers will get P430,000, P310,000 and P230,000, respectively.
Also fighting for top honors are the country’s leading amateurs, headed by Asian Games silver medalist Miguel Tabuena, who also clinched a spot in this year’s Asian Tour recently.
Others in the fold are former Hong Kong Am Open winner Dante Becierra, Fil-Am Carl Santos-Ocampo, Jerson Balasabas, Jobim Carlos and reigning Philippine Ladies Open winner Chihiro Ikeda of Davao and many-time Junior World champion Dottie Ardina.(pr)

Year’s best takes on tour’s finest in TCC Invit’l

JAY BAYRON OF DAVAO CITY

Dabawenyo Jay Bayron hopes to measure up against the best of the lot as he goes for his
first The Country Club Invitational crown beginning Jan. 27 at the TCC layout in
Laguna.
Bayron toppled fancied Bacolodnon Juvic Pagunsan in their spirited battle for the Order of
Merit crown in last year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, ruling the circuit’s last
leg in Canlubang to clinch the coveted OOM plum and emerge the year’s top
player.
But the former amateur standout has not much of a success at the TCC
Invitational, finishing eighth in 2009 won by Artemio Murakami and limping home
at 16th in last year’s staging of the event sponsored by golf patron Ricky
Razon, chairman and CEO of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
But Bayron’s sterling 2010 performance, where he started his campaign with a
string of runner-up finishes before coming up with a strong finishing kick, has
installed him as one of the favorites in the upcoming P4.7 million event which
features the country’s leading golfers and top amateurs.
Meanwhile, Bayron and other leading pros see action in the traditional pro-am
event on Jan. 26 as they team up with the event’s guests and backers in the
18-hole tournament.
The TCC Invitational will also serve as the kickoff leg of this year’s
ICTSI-PGT, a 12-leg nationwide circuit slated at the country’s various
championship courses to be launched in Wednesday’s pro-am.

Angelo Que and Pagunsan head the elite cast chasing the top P1.4 million purse
with the talented duo seeking to become the first player to win three titles in
the annual tournament also held in honor of ICTSI founder Enrique “Don Pocholo”
Razon, Sr.
Que, winner in 2007, romped away with a five-stroke win over Murakami last year
while Pagunsan won the crown in 2006 by humbling the veteran Frankie Minoza in
sudden death and then repeated in 2008.
Minoza, meanwhile, is joining the fray, looking for his first win and a
morale-booster in his US Seniors Champions Tour bid. The two-time Philippine
Open champion is fine-tuning his game for his much-awaited stint in the
lucrative US circuit where he qualified by finishing joint runner-up in last
year's tough qualifier in Florida.
Murakami, coming off a victory in the Philippine Open last month, is also tipped
to contend for the crown along with Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, 2009 OOM winner
and former RP Open winner Elmer Salvador, and former winners Cassius Casas and
Jerome Delariarte and Marvin Dumandan, the winningest player in last year’s
circuit with three victories.
Others seeing action in the tournament proper are Benjie Magada, Ferdie Aunzo,
Ramil Bisera, Jun Bernis, Elmer Saban, Orlan Sumcad, Antonio Asistio II, Anthony
Fernando, Danny Zarate, Richard Sinfuego, Rufino Bayron, Rey Pagunsan, Omar
Dungca, Ebarra Quiachon, Michael Bibat, Randy Garalde, Richard Abaring, Joel
Opaco, Cookie La'O, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Albin Engino, Ruben Sasutil
and Roland Marabe.(pr)

Golf elites slug it out in TCC Invit’l

The cream of the country’s pro golf hope to come out strong from a long break as
they battle it out for top honors in the rich The Country Club Invitational
slated Jan. 27-30 at the windswept TCC layout in Laguna.

Angelo Que seeks his third crown as he heads the star-studded field that
includes past TCC champions, the top finishers in last year’s ICTSI-Philippine
Golf Tour and the rising stars out to dispute the more than P1 million top purse
in what has long been considered as the country’s golfing major championship.

Although the last three editions of the annual event were won in runaway
fashions, this year’s title hunt is expected to be fierce and tight with the
rest of the select 36-player field raring to spoil the fancied bets’ bid in the
tournament, put up by golf patron Ricky Razon, chairman and CEO of ICTSI,
the global leader in port management.

Que used a variety of shots under brutal conditions to get back at 2008 and 2009
tormentors Juvic Pagunsan and Artemio Murakami and win last year’s edition of
the annual event via a five-stroke romp over Pagunsan.

But the power-hitting Que will be hard-pressed to duplicate his feat with the
smooth-swinging Pagunsan and Murakami going all out to recapture the crown and a
host of others all primed up for the big event held in honor of ICTSI founder
Enrique “Don Pocholo” Razon, Sr.


They include Jay Bayron, who copped local tour’s Order of Merit crown with a
final leg victory at ICTSI-Canlubang, Marvin Dumandan, the winningest player on
the circuit with three victories, 2009 OOM winner Elmer Salvador, and other
former winners of the event – Cassius Casas, Tony Lascuna and Jerome Delariarte.

Others in the fold of what has become the country’s golfing major are the
regular Filipino campaigners on the Asian Tour, headed by Mars Pucay, and the
other top players in the OOM ranking, including Benjie Magada, Ferdie Aunzo,
Ramil Bisera, Jun Bernis, Elmer Saban, Orlan Sumcad Antonio Asistio II, Anthony
Fernando;

Danny Zarate, Richard Sinfuego, Rufino Bayron, Rey Pagunsan, Omar Dungca, Ebarra
Quiachon, Michael Bibat, Randy Garalde, Richard Abaring, Joel Opaco, Cookie
La’O, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Albin Engino, Ruben Sasutil and Roland
Marabe.

Meanwhile, the traditional 18-hole pro-am event, featuring the leadings pros and
ICTSI’s guests from various sectors and event’s sponsors, will be held on Jan.
26 as a prelude to the keenly awaited four-day championship, serving as the
kickoff leg of the ICTSI-PGT, which has lined up a 12-leg circuit this year.

Also in the cast are the country’s leading amateurs from the ICTSI golf stable,
led by Dante Becierra and Peter Villaber and national team mainstays Chihiro
Ikeda and Dottie Ardina, who will be using the tournament as part of their
preparations for various international tournaments.

Que anchored his last year’s romp on a pair of 68s in the first two rounds then
held off Murakami and Pagunsan’s final 36-hole charge with gutsy 71 and 72. But
the long-hitting former RP Open champion hardly saw action on the local circuit
last year, opting instead to campaign abroad.(pr)