Rosales undecided on RP Open stint

Five-time RP Ladies Open champion Jennifer Rosales, remained torn between playing in the Philippine Open and competing in the rich ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia with negotiations still ongoing at presstime last night.

Sources told The STAR that Rosales’ agent Jack Arroyo and organizers of the 88th Philippine Open are locked in a long-drawn talk for several days now with the player’s camp reportedly inclined to open her 2004 campaign in Australia, beginning with that $800,000 event slated on the very same date of the Philippine Open – Feb. 26-29.

"They are hopeful that Jenny would have a very good chance to vie for top honors with just about 10 LPGA players in the fold in the ANZ Masters," said the source.

But for sure, the field will include the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb and defending champion Laura Davies with the prize money four times that of the RP Open set to be played at the Mimosa Golf Club in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Incidentally, a press conference to launch the four-day event, Asia’s first golf championship and the country’s premier event, will be held at 2 p.m. today with the organizing NGAP (National Golf Association of the Phils.) to hold a media tournament at 7 a.m.

Should Rosales, still winless on the LPGA Tour but had a solid campaign last year until she wavered towards the end of the season, opt to put priority on her country and forego her Aussie stint, she would also be expected to team up with brother Gerald in a Skins Game especially designed for her.

It will also give her countrymen, who have supported her throughout her campaign here and abroad, a rare chance to take a glimpse at her skill and talent honed to near-perfection through years of hardwork and dedication.

More importantly, an RP Open stint would make her the first female pro to play in the fabled event, launched in 1913 ,which made the country the pioneer in organized golf in the region.