YOUNG golfer Ira Alido will be heading to the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge at the Aoki course on March 9 with a lot of confidence as he seeks to build on his breakthrough win at the Riviera late last year.
After a couple of failed tries at gaining a victory on the pro tour, Alido came through with a spectacular performance, winning by nine at Riviera in December.
“I think my advantage is I’m playing with a high level of confidence,” said Alido, who still is wary of the field bolstered by the presence of three Del Monte aces, who missed the Tour’s return after an eight-month hiatus due to the pandemic at Riviera due to quarantine restrictions.
Clyde Mondilla and Frankie Miñoza, both former Philippine Open champions, and Reymon Jaraula, who annexed his first PGT win at Pueblo de Oro in 2019, join the chase for top honors in the P2 million event which also features the likes of Angelo Que and Miguel Tabuena, also both former Phl Open titlists, and multi-titled Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Jobim Carlos, Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador along with young guns Justin Quiban, James Ryan Lam, Fidel Concepcion and Keanu Jahns.
Focus will also be on the LPGT title chase with Princess Superal and Pauline del Rosario bracing for another duel and the likes of debuting pro Harmie Constantino, Daniella Uy, Chanelle Avaricio, Marvi Monsalve, Gretchen Villacencio, Pamela Mariano, Sunshine Baraquiel and former three-time Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodrigiuez raring to fuel their respective bids in the 54-hole championship coming off a three-month break.
“We’re all a bit rusty, but it’s nice to be playing at home again,” said Tabuena, who tied for seventh and 11th in the two Riviera events. “It will be hard because we have not played tournament golf for quite some time, but it’s the same for everyone. So I guess that if I just play my best at the end of the week, I’ll have a chance.”