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THE
Philippine Open, the country’s much-awaited golf event
and Asia’s oldest national championship, has become an
annual opportunity for Filipinos to meet some of the
best Asian Tour stars in one big spectacle.
With
Frankie Miñoza all harnessed up to defend the crown in
the Open’s 92nd edition, the question is: Who among the
other Filipinos could live up to the challenge?
Aiming
higher
Gerald
Rosales was the surprise package in the 91st Open when
he finished runner-up to Miñoza. Stricken out of the
top three, he took a mighty charge on the final day that
made it a 1-2 finish for the Philippines for the first
time in the Open’s rich history. Ultimately, it was his
best place for 2007 as an individual.
“I knew
I had a chance, that’s why I pushed myself to the limit
in the last 18 holes, but I came just a bit short. I’m
still happy because Frankie [Miñoza], a Filipino, won
his second Open crown,” said Rosales.
Since
then, it was a roller-coaster ride for the brother of
Ladies Professional Golf Association star Jennifer
Rosales. Later in 2007, he teamed up with fellow Asian
Tour cardholder Antonio Lascuna as they qualified for
the Omega World Cup in
China.
Rosales
has yet to win after seven events into the current Asian
Tour season, but has expressed optimism to the Asian
Tour officials that an inaugural victory—his second
overall in the forthcoming Open—could jump-start a
fruitful campaign for 2008.
Gaining
ground
Like
Rosales, Angelo Que is entering the Open with higher
hopes.
Buoyed
by his ego-boosting performance at the British Open
qualifier where he took the last slot, Que will use the
Wack Wack tournament, which starts Thursday, as a gauge
on how far he will go.
“I’ll
practice Tuesday and join the Pro-Am side event on
Wednesday. Let’s see how I would play and only by then,
will I be able to give you an accurate assessment on
whether or not I could fare strongly in the British
Open. For now, the [RP] Open is my priority,” Que told
the BusinessMirror.
“I
placed 11th last year but my best finish was an eighth
as a professional. With the way I’m hitting these days,
I think I can go for the win as well,” said Que, who has
won twice as low amateur in the Open.
Comeback
kid
Juvic
Pagunsan is one player to watch out for. After an
almost winless season, the former Asian Tour Rookie of
the Year captured the Pertasamina Invitational in late
2007. He has been in form in the last six months by
winning two local tournaments organized by the
Professional Golf Association of the Philippines.
Even
though Pagunsan, 29, is enjoying his return to
championship form, he knows he is up against a tough
field, which includes Thais, Singaporeans, Australians,
Americans, Malaysians, Indians and Chinese stars, on the
Asian Tour.
“I’ve
won many tournaments, but not the RP Open. I think this
year would be a perfect time for me to get it, but it
won’t be an easy route,” Pagunsan said.
Ilocanos’
pride
Mars
Pucay is not one of the pretournament favorites and has
one simple mission: to be the first Ilocano champion of
the Philippine Open.
“I
believe that this is every Filipino pro’s dream of a
title at the Open. And mine is not different at all.
Of course, I will give my provincemates’ pride if I do
hoist it,” said the dusky Pucay, who had clinched two
successful legs in the Asean Golf Tour, the Asian Tour’s
friendly rival league.
Amateur
battle
The
competition for the amateurs heats up as International
Containers and Terminal Services Inc. teammates Anthony
Fernando and Ferdinand Aunzo, both seeded in the Open
because they are members of the national team, are
aspiring to follow the footsteps of Jay Bayron, the 2007
RP Open low amateur champion.
The
absence of Bayron, who turned pro in January, leaves the
low amateur play wide open for Fernando, Aunzo and the
rest of the six amateurs who safely made the 10-man cut
in the 36-hole qualifying tournament conducted by the
National Golf Association of the Philippines at the
Villamor Golf Club a week ago. |
