Que, Lascuña boost PGT Riviera cast

Japan PGA Tour campaigner Angelo Que gets the chance to touch base again with the local pros while four-time Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña seeks to re-stamp his class in the Philippine Golf Tour restart beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 17) at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite.

The fancied pair, along with two-time Philippine Open champion Miguel Tabuena and former Order of Merit winners Jobim Carlos and Jay Bayron headline the stellar cast in the by-invitation only tournament put up by ICTSI to mark the resumption of the country’s premier circuit disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak mid-March.

Que hopes to make the most of his rare stint in the circuit after making Japan his base the last couple of years or so, eyeing no less than a victory in new normal setup on a course that could suit up his long game. He placed fourth in The Country Club Invitational, the flagship tournament of each PGT season, and dominated the PGT Asia at home in Manila Southwoods last year.

Meanwhile, Lascuña feels he still got what it takes to win although he remains wary of his chances, particularly against the circuit’s noted power hitters and the young guns, who are all hungry to slug it out after being kept out of the competitive play the last eight months.

“It’s been a long while since we last competed and that should make it doubly exciting. There’s too much excitement, expectations but I hope it turns out well (for me),” said Lascuña, who had kept himself busy and in shape during the break by teaching at Southwoods.

The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. got the green light from the Games and Amusements Board and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to resume the circuit with the PGTI coming up with a two-tournament offering, simultaneous with the Ladies PGT, to be conducted under various safety protocols now familiar in other pro sports allowed to restart in new normal.

But the opportunity, even one that comes with an entirely new set of rules, to play again is worth savoring.

“I think all the players, men and ladies, just want to get a few tournaments in before the holidays. It has been a tough year for everyone and this will be a good way to sort of end the year on a higher note for us golfers,” said Tabuena.

The other PGT and LPGT events will be held Dec. 8-11 at the Langer’s course, also at Riviera. For details, visit www.pgt.ph.

Others tipped to contend for top honors in the P2 million PGT event are veterans Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, James Ryan Lam and young turks Ira Alido, Justin Quiban, Dan Cruz, Sean Talmadge and Rupert Zaragosa.

Bannering the LPGT cast are reigning OOM winner Princess Superal and past champions Chihiro Ikeda, Pauline del Rosario and Cyna Rodriguez, Daniella Uy and brand-new pros Abby Arevalo and Chanelle Avaricio.