The ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters reels off Wednesday in a course that puts a premium on accuracy and precision off the mound more than length.
While the Villamor Golf Club layout does not feature the terrains, ravines, or dog-leg fairways that normally make championship courses, it does offer a tough test given its tight fairways crammed with trees, thick roughs and unpredictable surface.
“I did some good practice last week and I hope to show a better game than in Luisita,” said Guido van der Valk, the back-to-back The Country Club Invitational champion who missed the cut in the last PGT leg in Tarlac.
“I love the Villamor layout and can’t wait to play. As for the target, the goal is to be in contention to win during the final round,” added the Manila-based Dutchman who yielded to Jerson Balasabas in sudden death when the last PH Masters was held in 2018.
Rupert Zaragosa, the Iloilo champion coming off a 34th-place finish at Luisita, can’t wait to launch his drive for a second PGT win.
“I think Villamor suits my game. My game plan is to focus more on my tee shots and hopefully, my putting will click this week,” he said.
The P2.5-million event is without some of the tour’s big guns, but Van de Valk is the least of his concern.
“If my game is good, I can win no matter who is in the field. As for if it boosts my title chances, there’s still a lot of good players left in the field so I will have to play my best,” he said.
Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Reymon Jaraula, Marvin Dumandan, Ferdie Aunzo, Fidel Concepcion, Joenard Rates, Keanu Jahns and Balasabas are all geared up for battle along with Jay Bayron, who won the pro-am tournament last Monday.
“Malaki ang chance dahil wala ang ibang pros, pero kailangan sa Villamor maganda ang driving at patient ka dapat,” said Ababa, who last won at Pradera Verde and Cebu in 2018.
Frankie Miñoza and Robert Pactolerin, who had figured in many PH Masters clashes during their prime, provide the vintage flavor to the blue-ribbon event.
