By Lily O Ramos
MANILA, (PNA)-—Fil-Am shotmaker Carl Santos-Ocampo, winner of the ICTSI Midlands Challenge title three weeks ago, is the leading campaigner on Wednesday’s P2.5 million International Container Terminals Services, Inc.(CTSI) Manila Southwoods Championship at the Southwoods’ Legends Course in Carmona, Cavite.
Tony Lascuna whom Santos-Ocampo beat in the ICTSI Tagaytay Midlands Challenge is eyeing revenge and keep his hold of the Order of Merit lead heading to the last five legs of the 15-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTS, Inc.
The ICTSI Calatagan leg runaway winner wrested the OOM lead from erstwhile holder Miguel Tabuena, pooling earnings of P1,232,332, with the latter dropping to second with P1,191,527. Angelo Que is in third with P1,026,276 winnings but the ICTSI Orchard leg winner has begged off this week to compete in the Euro Masters.
Elmer Salvador, a repeat champion at Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu, is just behind at fourth with P957,776, guaranteeing a spirited battle for the top P450,000 purse in the four-day championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Veteran Frankie Minoza, who scored back-to-back victories at ICTSI Del Monte and ICTSI Pueblo de Oro leg, has also signed up for the event, along with this year’s other leg winners Jay Bayron, Michael Bibat and Elmer Salvador.
Others joining the title hunt are Jhonnel Ababa, Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Cassius Casas, Anthony Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, Rey Pagunsan, Gerald Rosales and Richard Sinfuego.
The country’s the leading pros test the bunker-laden for the last time Tuesday at the traditional pro-am with guests and officials from the event’s chief backers, including Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp and BMW.
The tour will head back to Tagaytay for the ICTSI Splendido Classic at Splendido Golf Club on Oct. 9-11 before Riviera hosts the 13th stage – the ICTSI Riviera Classic on Oct. 16-19, another P2.5 million event.
Canlubang will stage the penultimate leg on Nov. 6-8 for the ICTSI Canlubang Golf Invitational before the circuit winds up again at Wack Wack for the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 20-23, another 72-hole, P2.5 million tournament.