Rains make course longer for Masters

The sudden downpour that submerged some areas in the metropolis yesterday may practically change the very character of Villamor golf course that could pave the way for a mad scramble for top honors in the Philippine Masters golf championship which unfolds today.

From what used to be a course believed to have been shortened due to its hardened fairways, the par-72 quaint military layout may now be playing longer than its 7,000-yardage with yesterday's heavy rains expected to render the course soft and soggy, particularly those hazard-laden holes.

Still, accurate hitters will have the edge as the chase for the top P500,000 purse begins in this revival of one of the country's major championships sponsored by San Miguel Beer.

All par-5s are actually reachable in two and most of the par-4s can be conquered with wedge approaches, setting the stage for a four-day battle of target-shooting at the course which last hosted the event in 1998 won by Frankie Minoza.

Although Minoza chose not to defend his title, a crack local field is in the fold, led by World Cup veterans Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate and Mars Pucay and former Masters champions Rodrigo Cuello and Robert Pactolerin.

Casas, who ruled the local tour in the last three years, is coming into the event hoping to erase the stigma of his sorry stint in last week's Maekyung Open in Korea where he was disqualified in the final round.

Though lacking in top-level tournaments, three-time champion Robert Pactolerin remains a force to reckon with in the event supported by San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Miguel Light and Viva Mineral Water.

The other players to watch are rookie pro Gerald Rosales, Rey Pagunsan, Antonio Lascuna, Richard Sinfuego, Cesar Ababa, Benjie Magada, Melvin Eso and Ramon Brobio.

Leading the foreign challenge is 1994 champion Olle Nordberg of Sweden, who will be teeing off at 7:30 a.m. in the company of Zarate and amateur Solomon Gines.

Meanwhile, the amateur battle will pit members of the national traning pool, led by reigning match play champion Artemio Murakami and Angelo Que against players like Gerard Cantada and Marlon Dizon.