Upbeat Sean Ramos eyes ICTSI Forest Hills crown

Three months after his breakthrough victory at the Lakewood Championship, Sean Ramos is eager to make waves again at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic.

With strong recent performances abroad, Ramos aims to carry his momentum into the P2 million tournament, which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 18) at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

“I’ve been competing on the Asian Development Tour over the last couple of weeks, working closely with my swing coach. I had a couple of good finishes, so I’m hoping to keep that momentum going,” said Ramos, who tied for 12th at the Indonesia Pro-Am last Friday and finished joint 11th at the BRG Open in Vietnam the previous week.

Ramos’ triumph at Lakewood last June, where he showed remarkable composure, saw him defeat seasoned Philippine Golf Tour players like Reymon Jaraula and Tony Lascuña.

As he enters the 72-hole championship, Ramos will face these strong competitors again, all determined to slow his rising momentum while pursuing their own championship goals in the seventh leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Lascuña, a 53-time career champion, remains a formidable opponent. Coming off a victory at Splendido Taal last July in challenging conditions, he is eyeing his second win of the year.

Lascuña, who continues to refine his game through daily practice, is also a respected swing coach who shares his knowledge with both young and veteran golfers.

Other top contenders include fellow PGT leg winners Jhonnel Ababa (Apo), Angelo Que (Philippine Masters), and Clyde Mondilla (Caliraya Springs).

Mondilla, the defending champion at Forest Hills, is a favorite, having dominated last year’s event with a record-setting 11-under 60 in the opening round. He led wire-to-wire and secured a five-stroke victory over Dino Villanueva and Que.

However, the upcoming tournament promises excitement, as a year can bring significant changes in form and mindset. Hungry up-and-comers are eager to make their mark, and no player holds a distinct advantage on the challenging, risk-and-reward course.

Other notable participants include defending Order of Merit champion Guido van der Valk, Ira Alido, Michael Bibat, and Keanu Jahns, along with rising talents like Hyun Ho Rho, Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ryan Monsalve, Ivan Monsalve, Josh Jorge, and Lanz Uy.

With a field packed with top players, the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic is set to be an intense battle, as established pros and emerging stars compete for top honors in one of the season’s premier events.