ICTSI Mimosa Plus unwraps

CLARK Freeport Zone, Philippines — The men of the tour set out for a power duel at Mimosa Plus’ Acacia course with the majority effusive in talking about its fine condition and the chances of a four-day hunt for birdies in the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship, which fires off today here in Pampanga.

As the pros continue to hit the ball to ever-increasing distances, the par-72, 6,508-yard layout could be theirs for the taking although their unfamiliarity with Acacia could provide barriers to success in the P2 million championship serving as the 10th leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour season.

“Kailangan maganda ang driving at putting,” said Reymon Jaraula, one of the four aces in the fold who are gunning for a second victory in the season about to end, the three others being Tony Lascuña, Rupert Zaragosa and Jhonnel Ababa.

“Short course ito kaya kailangan mag-click ang short game,” added the runaway winner at Valley last June after yesterday’s traditional pro-am tournament.

“The course is in tip-top condition,” said Zaragosa, who also dominated the Iloilo leg for his breakthrough PGT victory last March. “Siguro ang edge dito, pag gumana ang putting. Kasi dito, paramihan ng birdie.”

Jaraula and Zaragosa test each other in the 8 a.m. on No. 1 in one of featured flights that includes Taiwanese Ting Yu Chen, an invitee of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. from the PGA Tour of Taiwan.