Defending champion Artemio Murakami and two-time winner Juvic Pagunsan lead an elite 36-player field vying for the P1.45 million top prize in The Country Club Invitational which starts this Thursday at The Country Club layout in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Out to spoil the projected showdown of Murakami and Pagunsan are former Cassius Casas, Tony Lascuna, Jerome Delariarte and Angelo Que and a slew of others, including last yearâ’s Order of Merin winner and reigning Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador.

Murakami, who regained his Asian Tour card with a victory in the final stage of the eliminations in Thailand last week, hopes to start the season with a triumph.

Two-time RP Open champion Frankie Minoza also hopes to win the only major title missing in his cabinet of trophies.

The field must put premium on accuracy and mental toughness since strong winds are expected.

The four-day championship will also serve as the kickoff leg of the 2010 Philippine Golf Tour, Inc., which was launched during yesterday’s traditional pro-am tournament that featured a banner roster of players from the business sector and other fields, headed by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon.

The PGTI has lined up a total of 13 legs this year with the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas hosting the second stage on February 16-18 and the Sherwood Golf and Country Club in Cavite staging the third leg on March 17-19.