Top golfers gear up for ICTSI Forest Hills Classic

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After two months of preparation and anticipation, the Philippine Golf Tour resumes with the country’s top players competing in the seventh leg – the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic – set to begin on Sept. 18 at the prestigious Nicklaus course.

For five of the six winners from the tour’s previous legs, this event offers more than just a chance to compete; it’s an opportunity to become the season’s first two-leg champion.

Among those vying for the title are Angelo Que, the Philippine Masters winner; Sean Ramos, who claimed the Lakewood Championship; and veterans Jhonnel Ababa, Clyde Mondilla, and Tony Lascuña, who won at Apo, Caliraya Springs, and Splendido Taal, respectively.

Lloyd Go, the Palos Verdes champion, will sit out this event due to a prior commitment.

While Que and Ramos spent the break competing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, others like Lascuña, Mondilla, and Ababa focused on rigorous training at home, ensuring they’re ready for the country’s premier golf circuit, sponsored by ICTSI.

Many players also spent time giving swing lessons at various ranges.

At 54, Lascuña continues to defy age, staying in top form. His thrilling one-stroke victory over Keanu Jahns at Splendido Taal last July fuels his motivation to chase back-to-back wins. As the Forest Hills battle approaches, Lascuña remains humble about his chances.

“There are a lot of strong players, so I can’t really say what will happen. But my mindset is always to fight, no matter what,” Lascuña said, acknowledging the competition from Que and Ramos.

Meanwhile, Ramos, fresh off a solid campaign on the ADT, where he tied for 12th in the Indonesia Pro-Am last Friday, is eager for a repeat triumph after his breakthrough win at Lakewood.

However, Mondilla might be the one to watch. The Del Monte ace dominated last year’s Forest Hills Classic, winning by five strokes.

His record-breaking 11-under-par 60 in the first round set the tone for his victory, making him a formidable contender in the upcoming 72-hole championship.

But as all seasoned golfers know, the sport is unpredictable. A gust of wind, an errant swing, or a missed putt can change the course of a championship.

Like previous legs of the PGT season, the Forest Hills Classic promises excitement and drama from the first tee to the final putt.

This leg also marks the final Luzon stop before the tour heads to the Visayas next month.

After the season’s 10-leg series, the top 32 players will advance to the PGT Match Play Championship, set for Nov. 26-29 at The Country Club in Laguna.

LEE TARGETS 2ND STRAIGHT WIN

Meanwhile, Jiwon Lee, 16, returns to competition after a two-month break, bringing momentum from her victory at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

The Korean sensation is aiming to build on her recent success as she competes in the P1 million ICTSI Forest Hills Classic.

Fresh off a dominant win in stormy conditions last July, Lee continues her transition from junior golf to the professional ranks. Her Splendido triumph cemented her reputation as a rising star on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Lee’s victory at the Lakewood Championship as an amateur in June, where she beat veteran Chihiro Ikeda in a playoff, propelled her to turn pro.

Though Lee will have a target on her back, she has spent her time off refining her game and is eager to match or exceed the form that led to her victory at Splendido.

Her challengers include Mikha Fortuna, who narrowly missed out on the Splendido crown, and proven winners like Harmie Constantino, Mafy Singson, Florence Bisera, Sarah Ababa, Laurea Duque, and Seoyun Kim.

Fortuna, a former Oklahoma University standout, is seeking redemption after her runner-up finish and aims to add another title to her impressive resume.

She is also the defending champion of last year’s PGT Match Play Championship, where she defeated Kim with a 5&4 victory in the finals.

The 54-hole ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., is the seventh leg of the LPGT circuit and the final stop in Luzon before the tour moves to the three-leg Visayas swing next month.

Following the 10-leg series, the top 16 players will advance to the PGT Match Play Championship at The Country Club in Laguna.

In addition to the headliners, other players vying for the title include Pamela Mariano, Gretchen Villecencio, Apple Fudolin, Rev Alcantara, Kristine Fleetwood, Lucy Landicho, Miya Legaspi, Velinda Castil, Kayla Nocum, and Korean junior standout An Yunju.

As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on Lee to see if she can continue her stellar rise in the face of a confident and talented field.