Tony Lascuña hopes to recall the form that netted him the PGT crown here in 2015.

DAVAO – The Philippine Golf Tour kicks off its grueling seven-leg, three-month jaunt in Mindanao and Visayas today (Wednesday, June 30) here with the men of the tour wary of the challenge but keen on dishing out their best in pursuit of titles beginning with the rich ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

While the homegrown talents enjoy some kind of an edge on local knowledge of the hazard-laden layout, the rest, including a crack foreign crew, are out to spoil their drive, all ready to slug it out with the best shot-for-shot and putt-for-putt right at the start of the P3 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI.

Most, particularly the local aces, are upbeat of their title bids in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. while some have expressed guarded optimism on a tight, long course with unpredictable putting surface.

Jay Bayron would opt for conservative play

“I like my chances. I’m in good condition but putting will be the key,” said Tony Lascuña, who won here when the tour made its last stop in 2015.

Fellow Davaoeños Jay Bayron, fresh from his triumph at PGT Asia Manila Southwoods leg last month, and Jhonnel Ababa, who scored back-to-back PGTA victories early this year, also exude confidence but both hinted at mixed approaches on the tricky layout.

Jhonnel Ababa aims high with his driver.

“Good chances to win again but the course is tough and I need to be careful, especially off the tee,” said Bayron. “I rather go for a 3-wood just to get on the fairway and be able to set up birdie opportunities.”

“The course is tough with so many hazards,” said Ababa. “But I’d still gamble on my driver to produce a good score.”

Lascuña and Bayron actually gear up for an early showdown with recent PGT Eagle Ridge winner Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands in one of the featured flights at 7:30 a.m. on No. 1 while Ababa also drew the same time slot on No. 10 with another Davaoeño Elmer Salvador and golf legend Frankie Miñoza.

Jobim Carlos brims with confidence following a breakthrough at PGT Asia Riviera.

Focus will also be on a slew of foreign aces out to steal the show in the third leg of the Philippine Golf Tour, including Nicolas Paez and Lexus Keoninh of the US, Lee Song, Park Jun Sung and Kim Joo Hyung of Korea, and Japanese

Taisei Mochita, Eiichiro Hiyama and Yu Ikeda.

“It’s hard to assess my chances, it’s 50-50. But I’ve been playing good golf lately,” said Paez, a perennial contender but never a winner on the circuit. He hopes to shake off a slight wrist injury and produce good results in the next four days for a crack at the championship and the top P550,000 purse.

“I’m expecting a good result and I will stay focused and enjoy the game,” added Paez, who drew two of recent winners on the PGT and PGT Asia in Jerson Balasabas (Philippine Masters) and Jobim Carlos (PGTA Southwoods) in the 7:40 a.m. flight on No. 10.

Balasabas, from Zamboanga, also liked his chances at Apo which he said is like Villamor where he nailed his maiden win in the Philippine Masters.

“It’s the same set up as Villamor although Apo is tighter and longer where small mistakes could lead to big numbers,” said Balasabas. “Premium is on driving and a 10-under total will win here.”

Jerson Balasabas vows to put together the game he dished out in his triumphant bid at the Philippine Masters at Villamor.

Meanwhile, Albin Engino likewise served notice of his title bid when he led his team composed of amateurs Atty. Paul Montejo, Atty. Ed Batacan and Dexter So to victory in the pro-am tournament yesterday with a 17-under 55 total.

Gerald Rosales, with Adi Briones, Brian Davila and Col. Jake Obligado scored a 57 and nipped Rolando Marabe Jr. and partners Mayung Pillerin, Andy Ugdarracion and Sherwin Bahani in the countback for runner-up honors in the event backed BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT.

Del Monte, on the other hand, will host the PGT fourth leg on June 27-30 for the ICTSI Del Monte Championship while Cagayan de Oro will stage the Pueblo de Oro Championship on July 4-7 at the Pueblo Oro Golf and Country Club.