JOBIM Carlos enters the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge confident despite coming off a setback as he tries to extend his lead in the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit.
The 25-year-old Carlos settled for second place to Japan Tour regular Juvic Pagunsan in the PGT’s Bacolod stop, but aside from boosting his earnings, the young pro also learned quite a bit while playing with the former Asian Tour No. 1 in a final round.
“Juvic hits consistent short game shots and that’s I think what I should do,” said Carlos when asked what aspect of Pagunsan’s game had impressed him most during their encounter.
The IIoilo Golf Challenge starts on Wednesday in Sta. Barbara.
Carlos, whose game went on an upswing after scoring a breakthrough at Philippine Golf Tour Asia Riviera leg last June, banners the field in the P3 million event sponsored by ICTSI at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. Carlos, who also won at Apo and placed second at Pueblo de Oro, has piled up earnings of P1,813,750, with Eagle Ridge winner Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands running second at P1,039,392.
Out to foil Carlos’ bid are PGT Asia leg winners Jhonnel Ababa and Jay Bayron, PGT Bacolod leg champion Justin Quiban and reigning Philippines Masters champion Jerson Balasabas.
Last year’s top earner Clyde Mondilla and multi-titled Tony Lascuña are also itching to break a long title spell with only three events left in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Also in the field are Johvanie Abaño, Ira Alido, Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Keanu Jahns, Anthony Fernando, Jelbert Gamolo, Mars Pucay, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Dino Villanueva, Arnold Villacencio and Salvador.
Young Korean Kim Joo Hyung, who beat Carlos to claim the PGT Del Monte crown, is also in the fold, eager to atone for his final round foldup in Negros where he succumbed to pressure in a final round duel with Pagunsan and Carlos and ended up at fifth. Other foreign players in the event backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT are Americans Lexus Keoninh and Pete Vilairatana, Macedonian Peter Stojanovski, Japanese Keisuke Takahashi and Yu Ikeda, Korean Park Jun Sung and Salvador Paya Vila of Spain and sponsor invitees Simon Viitakangas and Damien Jordan of Australia and Venezuelan Rafael Parra.
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