Bigger tests await Rosales siblings

After a successful teamup in the Philippine Open golf championship, newly-crowned RP Open winner Gerald Rosales and sister Jennifer part ways to resume their respective campaign abroad.

Gerald, who gained inspiration from Jenny, the five-time RP Ladies Open champion and LPGA Tour campaigner who caddied for him for a total of 27 holes at Riviera, leaves today for Thailand to play in the Thailand Open, the first of the last three Asian PGA Tour tournaments he would be competing in.

"I hope to play good in the last three legs because I need the points to keep my card in the Asian PGA Tour," said Gerald, who has had a series of so-so finishes in the circuit despite missing the cut only once in 12 tries.

Gerald, whose best finish in the APGA Tour was 15th in the Casino Filipino at the Manila Southwoods early this year, is ranked No. 67 heading into the final three stages of the circuit otherwise known as the Davidoff Tour.

"With my RP Open victory, I proved that I am capable of winning and I hope this will be the start of something," said Gerald after completing a two-stroke victory over former national teammates Tony Lascuña and Rey Pagunsan at Riviera’s Langer Course Sunday on a final round 78 and a 72-hole total 293.

Jennifer also leaves today for Malaysia where she would be teaming up with European Tour campaigner Mary Grace Estuesta in the inaugural Women’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

Although she said she’s been out of shape, having been out of competitive golf in the last five weeks, Jenny said she remains confident of dishing out a good performance in the team event patterned after the men’s World Cup of Golf.

"I’m tired but I hope to come up with a good game although I never really had the chance to train and pick up my game," said Jenny, referring to her gruelling job over the weekend where she caddied for Gerald in the third round and picked up the cudgels again in the last nine holes of the final round.

It was indeed tough caddying for her brother, but it proved tougher as Jenny had to do the odd job with an injured finger, which she accidentally cut in a kitchen accident back in the United States last month.

After a year-long campaign in the LPGA Tour, with only a joint 12th place effort as her best finish, Jenny plans to spend the Yuletide season here this year with Gerald, of course, and the entire family.