ILOILO. – Coming off an impressive runner-up finish in the previous Philippine Golf Tour event at Forest Hills, Rupert Zaragosa will defend his title in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge here.
The P2.5 million championship presented by MORE Electric and Power Corp. kicks off Tuesday at the short but demanding Iloilo Golf and Country Club, where Zaragosa clinched his maiden Tour win in dominant fashion last year, winning by nine strokes over Tony Lascuña, one of the country’s most accomplished golfers.
Zaragosa’s consistent performance this season highlights his readiness to chase a second career victory. Since finishing tied for 22nd at the circuit’s opening leg in Apo, Zaragosa has placed no lower than 14th in the next six tournaments, including a second-place finish behind Keanu Jahns at last month’s ICTSI Forest Hills Classic.
His sharp form and competitive mindset will be crucial as he seeks to repeat his success in Iloilo.
He is up against a formidable field, with several top competitors eager to challenge his reign. Winners from this season’s legs — Jhonnel Ababa (Apo), Clyde Mondilla (Caliraya Springs), Angelo Que (Philippine Masters), and Lascuña (Splendido Taal) — are all looking to secure a second victory before the Tour heads into its final two stages.
While Palos Verdes leg winner Lloyd Go, Lakewood champion Sean Ramos, and Jahns opted to skip this week’s event due to prior commitments, the tournament still features a strong field. Notable contenders include former leg champions Ira Alido, Reymon Jaraula, Guido van der Valk, Zanieboy Gialon and Jay Bayron.
Veterans Michael Bibat, Dino Villanueva, Marvin Dumandan and Elmer Salvador, alongside rising stars Aidric Chan, Ryan Monsalve and Josh Jorge, are also aiming to stamp their mark.
Zaragosa drew Bayron and Ira Alido in the 7:20 a.m. flight, while Ababa and Mondilla brace for an early showdown with Marvin Dumandan at 8 a.m., and Que collides with Zanieboy Gialon and Russell Bautista at 7 a.m., all on No. 1.
A host of international players, including Japan’s Ozeki Kakeru and Daiya Suzuki, the USA’s Drew Proctor and Collin Wheeler, and Korea’s Tae Won Kim, Taesoo Kim, and Hyun Ho Rho, are also looking to disrupt the local dominance in pursuit of a victory.