Cebuano Hong tries to sustain momentum of recent win at Valley Challenge

CEBUANO ACE golfer Charles “Chuckie” Hong aims to build on the success of his monumental win at the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic two weeks ago as he competes in the cash-rich ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge on Wednesday at the Valley Golf Club in Antipolo, Rizal.
Much is at stake in this tournament as Hong, a proud product of the Cebu Country Club, tries to take the lead in the race for the Order of Merit title against current leader Tony Lascuna.
He recently moved to second place, just P39,000 behind Lascuna, after winning a whopping P650,000 at the Sherwood Hills leg.
But Lascuna, still in the OOM lead with P885,000 in winnings, is back after a two-leg stint on the Asian Tour, raring to nail his first win after a runner-up and top four finishes at ICTSI Splendido and John Hay with a confidence boosted by his joint 11th place finish at The Championship in Singapore last Sunday, where he won P1 million.
Lascuna hopes to come out strong in an early flight at 7:30 a.m. on No. 10 in the company of Jhonnel Ababa and Canadian Rick Gibson while Hong drew a late tee-time of 11:10 a.m., also on No. 10, with Anthony Fernando and Miguel Tabuena, who is also coming off the Asian Tour campaign.
Jay Bayron, winner at Splendido, also goes for a second leg win in the 11:30 a.m. group on No. 1 with Ferdie Aunzo and Zanie Boy Gialon, while Jun Rates, who ruled the John Hay leg, is paired with long hitting Rey Pagunsan and Clyde Mondilla in the 11:10 a.m. flight on No. 1. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio