MANILA, Philippines — An elite 36-player field, headed by defending back-to-back champion Angelo Que and Asian Tour No. 1 Juvic Pagunsan, begins its chase for glory in The Country Club Invitational Thursday.

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.

From the looks of things, 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.

The lesser lights, meanwhile, grabbed the spotlight in yesterday’s pro-am as Richard Sinfuego and Robert Trota combined for a 60 to ran away with the top P70,000 purse plus Apple iPhone 4G, an Apple iPad (16 GB WiFi 3G) and a Techno Marine UF6 Magnum watch.

Ebarra Quiachon and Bernie Gan pooled a 61 to finish second worth P50,000 and a Techno Marine watch while Artemio Murakami and Chito Alarilla made a 63 for third worth P30,000 and an Apple iPad2 (16GB WiFi 3G).

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 to 16 and will again end at Wack Wack on Nov. 21 to 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 to 23 and John Hay holding the fourth leg on April 18 to 20.

While Que seeks to extend his reign and complete a first-ever three peat in what has become the country’s premier championship outside of the Philippine Open, 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.

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

Save for one or two, the big guns drew separate flights in the first two days and if they play true to form, they are expected to meet in the final 36 holes in what could be an explosive battle for the coveted crown.