PGT, LPGT brace for fierce battles

THE Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) and the Ladies PGT (LPGT) are set to open another season filled with unpredictability and intense rivalries as the 10-leg circuit kicks off at the Pradera Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga, on Monday.

Despite veteran dominance, the PGT has proven to be anyone's game, as no single player was able to secure multiple titles in the 72-hole tournaments last season. This pattern underscores the increasing competitiveness of the tour, with young guns and Q-School graduates eager to shake up the hierarchy.

Tony Lascuña, a five-time Order of Merit champion, remains a force to be reckoned with, but with a new wave of challengers — including fresh Q-School graduates — no player can take victory for granted. Among the seasoned pros looking to reclaim or maintain their standing are last year's leg winners Angelo Que, Jhonnel Ababa, Lloyd Go, Zanieboy Gialon, Rupert Zaragosa, Clyde Mondilla, Sean Ramos, Reymon Jaraula and Keanu Jahns.

However, the field has grown even deeper, with the likes of Guido van der Valk, Aidric Chan, Dino Villanueva, Michael Bibat, Russell Bautista, Fidel Concepcion and Ira Alido sharpening their skills in the offseason.

Adding to the uncertainty, a strong contingent of international players, headlined by Korean Min Wook Gwon, who recently bested van der Valk in The Country Club Invitational, could break through and claim titles in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Focus will also be on the latest Q-School graduates, led by low medalist Jeff Jung, alongside promising talents such as Carl Corpus, Yuto Hayashi, Atsushi Ueda, Christopher delos Santos, Paul Echavez, Tae Won Kim, Toru Nakajima, James Ryan Lam, Dan Cruz, Ivan Monsalve, Jorge Jorge and rookie pro Jhondie Quibol.