Expect Open to be close

They switched the nines, firmed up the greens, and made sure Wack Wack’s east course has been whipped up to its championship condition. But organizers of the 86th Philippine Open still expect low scoring from the field when the country’s premier golfing championship blasts off today at the fabled par 72 layout.

"Given the present conditions, shooting a 12-under par for four days could be enough to wrap up the RP Open crown," said Wack Wack general manager S.P. Malbarosa on the eve of the championship which drew 79 foreign bets from 17 countries and which stakes P9.5 million.

But that could change as the layout will surely play longer than its 7,050-yardage with its rain-softened fairways. The putting surface is expected to befuddle the field with its varying speed.

Add to that the decision to reverse the nines where the tough holes Nos. 7, 8 and 9 will now become the finishing holes, a move that will surely provide the twist and drama that were absent in recent RP Open stagings.

"We want to make sure that the last rounds of the tournament will be both challenging and exciting for the player as well as the fans," said Benny Gopez, NGAP vice president and chairman of the RP Open organizing committee.

The field, however, will be given all the chances to set themselves up for good scores and a thrilling Sunday finish with the width of the fairways set within 35-45 yard range and the roughs not too high to punish those with wayward shots.

Although two former champions in the last three years will not be around, the 161-man roster remains as talent-laden as ever with defending champion Gerald Rosales, top Filipino shotmaker Cassius Casas and the debuting Gerard Cantada leading the hunt for the top P1.5 million purse in the four-day event sponsored by Casino Filipino and San Miguel Corp.

South African Nico Van Rensburg, who won the Canlubang Classic in the early years of the APGA Tour, heads the big foreign contingent that also includes former Philippine Masters winner Olle Nordberg, Canadian World Cupper Rick Gibson, Chris Walky of the David Leadbetter Academy and Asian Tour veteran Aaron Meeks of the United States.

But Rosales isn’t worried a bit of the foreign challenge. In fact, he even worries more on hitting mud-speckled ball -— a scenario that looms large as rains continue to soften Wack Wack’s fairways.

"It may be something beyond our control but officials should be quick to determine if it’s really time to let us play under winter (rules)," said Rosales as he went through his final tuneup for the defense of the crown he won at The Riviera last year.

Rosales carded a 73 in yesterday’s pro-am, a round he said would be enough to give him a good shot at the crown if he sustains it. He tees off on No. 1 at 8:06 a.m. with Van Rensburg and Vic Santia.

Robert Pactolerin, who won the 1990 staging of the Open here, is among those fancied to foil Rosales’ back-to-back bid, so does Cassius Casas, who has vowed to end a long streak of poor performances here and abroad.

With a newly-reconstructed backswing and a new set of irons boosting his confidence, Casas hopes to use the event to revitalize a so-so campaign in the season that had seen him pay more than being paid.

There are also two Miñozas in the field but neither of them is Frankie, the superstar who had kept himself out of the Open for the second straight year because of better prospects in Japan. Taking his place are his brothers Raul and Peter.

Cantada, the portly ex-amateur standout, will also make his pro debut today. He will have Rodrigo Cuello and Gibson as his flightmates.

Also supporting the event are Mitsubishi Motors, Herma Group of Companies, Hope Luxury Cigarette, Hanjin Shipping, Prudentialife Pension Plan, Shoemart, General Milling, Metrobank, Bingo Bonanza, Citra Toolways, Rudy Project, Unilever, Metrobank, Marsman Drysdale, Pyramid Construction, Mizuno, Solahart, Citgo, Wallem Shipping, Executive Golfers Club, The Riviera Golf and Country Club, Philippine Navy, GG&A Club Shares, Electrobus Consolidated, Philtec Label, U-Bix, PLDT, Aristocrat Lamps, Pacsports, Cafe Appassionato, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy Golf Club, Villamor Golf Club, G.E. Management, Marriot Vacation Club, Toyota Motors, Greens Management, Golf Force, First Georgetown Ventures, Nextel and Cinnabon.