Golf’s best face off as TCC Match Play unfolds

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STA. ROSA, Laguna – The ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational begins today (Tuesday, Nov. 26), bringing together the Philippines’ top golfing talents for an exciting conclusion to the Philippine Golf Tour season.

Held at the challenging TCC course, this four-day tournament promises drama, surprises and intense rivalries as every hole feels like a championship decider.

Top seed Tony Lascuña, fresh off clinching his fifth Order of Merit title in the 10-leg circuit, leads the field.

Despite his dominance this season, where no player managed multiple wins, Lascuña approaches his match against No. 32 Rico Depilo cautiously.

Though Depilo has been a consistent performer, his lack of strong finishes could give the favorite an edge.

The match play format, which emphasizes head-to-head competition, levels the playing field. It demands mental toughness and strategic risk-taking, with every hole presenting a fresh opportunity.

Unlike stroke play, where one poor hole can derail a round, match play isolates mistakes, allowing players to recover quickly and take bold chances.

Angelo Que, seeded second and returning from the Hong Kong Open, faces Elee Bisera at 8:52 a.m. Other early matches include Jhonnel Ababa versus Marvin Dumandan, Rupert Zaragosa against Arnold Villacencio, and Reymon Jaraula clashing with Jerson Balasabas.

The event kicks off at 7 a.m. with a match between No. 16 Nilo Salahog and No. 17 Art Arbole, promising an intense battle. Other notable pairings include Guido van der Valk taking on Mars Pucay, Ira Alido meeting Albin Engino, and Clyde Mondilla battling Nelson Huerva.

Set against the backdrop of TCC’s demanding layout, the course challenges players with its length, strategic hazards and fast greens. Navigating such a venue requires not just precision but also mental resilience and smart decision-making – qualities that separate good players from great ones.

As the stakes rise, so does the psychological tension. Each match requires players to not only execute technically but also outthink their opponents.

Lascuña, a former champion and last year’s runner-up, knows the field is strong, but he’s determined to cap off another stellar season with a victory.

In other first round matches, it will be Randy Garalde vs Jay Bayron, Kakeru Ozeki vs Daiya Suzuki, Russel Bautista vs Collin Wheeler, Ryan Monsalve vs Dino Villanueva, Ira Alido vs Albin Engino, Michael Bibat vs Kim Tae Soo, Hyun Ho Rho vs Francis Morilla, Zanieboy Gialon vs Eric Gallardo, and Guido van der Valk vs Mars Pucay.

The men’s Round of 16 resumes on Nov. 27, setting the stage for a gripping progression of matches. The competition intensifies on the third day, with players facing a test of stamina as the quarterfinals take place in the morning, followed by the semifinals in the afternoon.

The tournament culminates on Nov. 29, with the finals and the battle for third place promising to deliver high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments.

MONSALVE-AVARICIO MATCH-UP

Meanwhile, the Ladies ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational kicks off today (Tuesday, Nov. 26) with exciting pairings promising high-stakes drama.

Defending champion Mikha Fortuna faces a formidable test against 16-year-old rising star Jiwon Lee, while the Marvi Monsalve-Chanelle Avaricio showdown is shaping up to be another must-watch duel.

Both Monsalve and Avaricio are fresh from their campaigns in Taiwan, setting the stage for a closely contested match. They tee off at 7:08 a.m., with Monsalve seeking to end her search for a career breakthrough.

Avaricio, on the other hand, draws on her wealth of experience, including a stellar 2022 season on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, where she notched multiple victories.

Although Avaricio’s track record in stroke play gives her an edge, the unpredictable nature of match play levels the playing field, giving Monsalve a chance to capitalize on her hunger for a breakthrough win.

At 7:16 a.m., Fortuna begins her title defense against Lee, a prodigious talent who has already made waves in the Junior PGT and earned a breakthrough professional win at the Splendido Taal leg, where she bested none other than Fortuna herself.

Lee’s relative inexperience in match play is balanced by the mental toughness gained from her recent stints in Taiwan, making this matchup one to watch.

Reigning Order of Merit (OOM) winner and 2022 Match Play champion Harmie Constantino takes on Kyla Nocum in the final pairing of the opening round at 7:56 a.m. Constantino, while tempering expectations due to the competitive field, remains a strong contender for another title.

Last year’s OOM champion Daniella Uy is heavily favored in her  7 a.m. clash against Apple Fudolin, while Florence Bisera aims to secure a victory over Velinda Castil. Other first-round matchups include Gretchen Villacencio versus Rev Alcantara, Chihiro Ikeda against Kristine Fleetwood, and Sarah Ababa battling Pamela Mariano.

The winners of today’s matches will advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, with the semifinals and championship rounds set for the following two days. With an even playing field and the match play format encouraging bold strategies, the stage is set for four days of thrilling competition in the season-ending event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.