Wide-open race seen as Manila Am tees off

In a course where a deft short game can be a better weapon than power off the tee, the big guns should expect a sustained assault from all corners as the inaugural Manila Amateur golf championship tees off today at Wack Wack west.

Though big names like Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan and Marlon Dizon are given top billing, anybody from among the 40 players in the championship class who can putt and save strokes around the green can easily muddle up the title race.

"There is no such thing as familiarity with the course here. I think it’s a wide open race and it’s a good opportunity for us to play at competitive level," said Dizon, a Wack Wack member who won the national stroke play crown earlier in the year.

Que, the reigning national champ, is in for a major test. Foremost among them are reigning SEA Games champ Juvic Pagunsan, Jherome Delariarte, Cookie LaO, Artemio Murakami and Tommy Manotoc. Also seen to crowd them for the crown are veterans Juami Rocha, Abe Rosal, JR Tanpinco, Dave Hernandez, Jun Bernis, and Jingy Tuason.