Reigning national junior champion Aidric Chan heads a crack roster of amateurs bracing for a different kind of duel alongside with the country’s leading pros when the Delimondo National Pro-Am is fired off Thursday (May 9) at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Chan, who outduelled Sean Ramos in a marathon 36-hole finale to rule the Philippine Junior Open Championship at Sherwood recently in his final year in the 18-and-under event, is teaming up with the long-hitting Rey Pagunsan in the 54-hole championship serving as a venue for the amateurs to showcase their talent and skills against the men of the tour.

Carl Corpus, a former national match play titlist, is also in the fold along with regular national tour campaigners Josh Jorge, Ivan Monsalve, Masaichi Otake, Carlo Villaroman, Noel Langamin, Joel Yamyamin, Gary Manotoc, Bobby Celestino, Dan Cruz, Lanz Uy and former pro Eddie Bagtas.

Corpus is teaming up with Omar Dungca; Jorge with Ladies PGT campaigner Chihiro Ikeda; Monsalve with Greg Gonzalez; Otake with Charles Hong; Villaroman with GJ Katigbak; Langamin with Magno Arancon; Yamyamin with Art Arbole; Manotoc with Johnel Bulawit; Celestino with Rico Depilo; Cruz with Marvin Dumandan; Uy with LPGT mainstay Daniella Uy; and Bagtas with Enrico Gallardo.

A total of P2.7 million is staked in the three-day tournament which drew 106 pairs with the top 40 teams after 36 holes of stroke play advancing to the final round with a whopping P500,000 awaiting the pro winner and merchandise and gifts for his amateur partner. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or at jocelynduque@pgt.ph.

Focus will also be on former amateur standout and pro Judson Eustaquio and long-time buddy Tonlits Asistion, whose partnership netted them the crown in the 2017 edition of the event sponsored by Delimondo which also serves as the second leg of the milestone 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI.

Other tandems to watch in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. in recognition of the amateurs’ role in boosting Phl golf and at the same time to provide them the exposure they need as they hone up for the pros are Jhonnel Ababa-Bobby Iñigo, Jay Bayron-Mon Salazar; Michael Bibat-Louie Aguinaldo; Albin Engino-Dave Hernandez; Tony Lascuña-Moulay Rhounimi; Mars Pucay-Pol Mayos; and Dutch Guido Van der Valk-Kim Wan Soo.