Jen torn between Open, Aussie stints

Jennifer Rosales yesterday said she remained undecided whether to play against the cream of the country’s pro golf in the Philippine Open next month or compete against the world’s best lady golfers in the rich ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia.

"I haven’t decided yet," said Rosales when asked of her plans next month where she has been invited to play in the DHL 88th RP Open where she could become the first-ever woman to compete in Asia’s oldest golf championship the way the likes of Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie competed against the men of the US PGA Tour.

The invite from the RP Open organizers came a day before a similar request from the Australian LPGA Tour landed on her lap, inviting the five-time RP Ladies Open champion to see action in the ANZ Ladies Masters scheduled exactly on the same week of the RP Open — Feb. 26-29.

No less than the general manager of the ALPGA Warren Sevil sent the invitation to the first locally-bred Filipino to ever see action on the US LPGA Tour yesterday, according to Rosales’ mother, Lourdes.

The organization likewise invited Jennifer to play in the Australian Ladies Open set the week after the ANZ Ladies Masters.

The ANZ Ladies Masters is set at the Royal Pines Resort in Gold Coast where Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb and defending champion Laura Davies are expected to vie for top honors and where the prize money $800,000 is four times than that of the DHL-RP Open.

But what could lure Jennifer to play here is the mere fact that she would be able to showcase her world-class talent before her countrymen who have been following and supporting her exploits in the international front.

In fact, a unique Skins Game, possibly featuring a rare team-up with her brother Gerald, is in the works and it will be held as a prelude to the staging of the RP Open at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga.

The elder Rosales told The STAR that Jenny would still consult with Gerald whether or not to accept the RP Open stint. Gerald was still playing in the Thailand Open at presstime.

Cinnabon, the country’s leader of cinnamon rolls and pastry delights, has expressed interest in helping bankroll the million-peso event with either one of two giant companies deep into golf.

Also invited to join the Skins Game are Ria Quiazon, bronze medalist in the Busan Asian Games who has reportedly turned pro, 2002 RP Open champion Rick Gibson and Dorothy Delasin.

"I welcome Cinnabon’s robust support for the country’s premier golf event by taking the initial step towards this first ever Skins Game in the RP Open," said Rod Feliciano, president of the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines. "DHL and WWW Express express their gratitude to Cinnabon."
Miñoza remains the top choice of the organizers to be the lead man of the Skins Game even as the country’s No. 1 golfer has been given ample time to study his schedule in the Japan Tour.

DHL Open officials are willing to adjust the scheduled Skins Game on Feb. 24 just to accommodate Miñoza’s schedule if that should conflict with his Japan commitments.

"We are still hoping Mr. Miñoza could come and join us to give our golfing fans the limitless thrills of a Skins Game," said Charles Brewer, the country manager of DHL Philippines.