An elite 36-player field, headed by defending back-to-back champion Angelo Que and Asian Tour Number 1 Juvic Pagunsan, begins its chase in The Country Club Invitational today, ready to do battle  on a tough TCC course that requires precision and determination.

No less than a strong start is expected from the talent-laden cast, composed of the top 36 players in last year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, each one out to build confidence and momentum heading into the weekend play of the 72-hole championship, which also serves as the kickoff leg of this year’s ICTSI-PGT.

The fight for the top P1.4 million purse could go down to the last putt or perhaps end up the way it did in 2006 when Pagunsan nipped Frankie Miñoza in a thrilling mid-afternoon playoff.

Pagunsan also won in 2008 after Que scored a breakthrough in 2007 but the latter came back strong and dominated the last two stagings of the event sponsored by long-time golf patron and ICTSI chief Ricky Razon.

Meanwhile, Razon yesterday launched the 16-leg ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour during awards rites of the pro-am tournament.

The 2012 season will start at Splendido in Tagaytay on March 14-16 and will again end at Wack Wack on Nov. 21-24.

At least four new courses will host this year’s circuit, sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., with Luisita staging the second leg on March 21-23 and John Hay holding the fourth leg on April 18-20.

While Que seeks to extend his reign and complete a first-ever three peat in what has become the country’s premier championship, Pagunsan will be out to live up to his status as Asia’s No. 1 after winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown last year.

“No one has an advantage at TCC since it’s a tough course especially in the presence of the wind,” said Pagunsan in Filipino. “If the wind come into play, you have to make a good contact with the ball.”

But 2009 champion Artemio Murakami and former winners Tony Lascuna, Cassius Casas and Jerome Delariarte are also raring to score a repeat while Minoza and the rest of the field are going flat out to nail the big one, ensuring a battle royale in the blue-ribbon event.