Casas hits NGAP for favoritism

ANTIPOLO — Believing that his status and reputation as the country’s top pro outside of Frankie Miñoza was grossly compromised, Cassius Casas yesterday blasted the National Golf Association of the Philippines for its handling of the list of two local pros invited to the prestigious Kirin Open in Japan April 19-22.

"Unfair naman yon. Talagang pinersonal nila ako," said a fuming Casas, who charged the NGAP of intentionally omitting his name in the list in favor of a player nominated by the golf body.

Organizers of the event, one of the richest legs of the Japan PGA Tour, have been inviting the top two pros in the region to play in the championship, a joint undertaking of the Japan Golf Association and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, of which the Philippines is a member.

Casas maintained that he deserved one of the slots, having been the country’s top player for three straight years until the local golf tour was scrapped two years ago. He added that even if the performance in the international front would have been used as the basis, Casas said he would still clinch a spot since he is currently the No. 2 player next to Gerald Rosales in the Asian PGA Tour ranking. — Dante Navarro