Jay Bayron, currently the hottest Filipino golfer, has been picked as the overwhelming favorite when the third leg of the Philippine Golf Tour – the P1 million ICTSI-Riviera Classic – starts Wednesday at the Couples course of the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite.

Bayron has three runner-up finishes on the Mercedes Benz Tour, also known as the Asean PGA Tour, in the last two months where he led each of the event after the third round only to lose steam in the final round.

Many have questioned whether Bayron has the killer instinct in light of his string of collapses in the last few weeks. But while victory has eluded him, his strong finishes suggested a consistency not found among other Filipino golfers.

But despite his lofty status in the 54-hole tournament organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., Bayron downplayed his chances.

Bayron's will be tested right in the first round as he is paired with Juvic Pagunsan and Jett Plete in the 11:20 a.m. flight on No. 10.

Other featured groups are Angelo Que, Tony Lascuna and Jong Laput at 7:30 a.m. on No. 10; Dumandan, Mars Pucay and Richard Abaring at 11:20 a.m. on No. 1; and Elmer Salvador, Artemio Murakami and Christopher delos Santos at 7:30 a.m. on No. 1.

“With all the big names in the list, no one should be a favorite here. It will still be anybody’s game,” said Bayron, who finished second at the Manila, Thailand, and Indonesia legs of the Asean PGA Tour.

He also finished tied for second with unheralded but long-hitting Orlan Sumcad in the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic last March ruled by Marvin Dumandan in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Dumandan is tipped to lead the list of challengers along with first leg winner and reigning Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador, who won the ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat.

The regular campaigners on the Asian Tour and the Asean circuit are also expected to contend for the crown, including Pagunsan, Que, Murakami, Lascuna, Pucay, Ferdie Aunzo, Danny Zarate, Rey Pagunsan, and Tonton Asistio.