RP Open tests best of Asia

LIPA City — It will be a question of desire — and putting — when the revered men of the Asian Tour, including a crack contingent of 56 local bets, begin their quest for the top $31,500 purse in the Philippine Open beginning today at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club here.

For one, the par-71 layout, going by the consensus of the field which sampled the course in the pro-am yesterday, will be there for the taking with its 6,957-yardage relatively shorter by the pros’ standard. Although the thick roughs could punish wayward shots, the absence of the wind at this time of the year could indeed set the stage for a shootout in the next four days.

But one player thinks otherwise.

"It will be a lot tougher than what most people think," said the Manila-based Canadian Rick Gibson, winner of the RP Open at Wack Wack in 2002. "The greens are tricky and it will be very difficult to score if you miss them."

Truly, the greens could be the last line of defense, perhaps the only one for many, with its undulating surface expected to challenge the field’s putting skills.

That includes the brave bunch of Filipino shotmakers.

With top local player Frankie Miñoza skipping the event for the second straight year, Angelo Que will lead the local challenge along with former winners Robert Pactolerin, Gerald Rosales and Cassius Casas, the last two having won it in an all-Filipino Open in 2000 (Riviera) and 2001 (Wack Wack), respectively.

But Que quickly downplayed the locals’ chances.

"They (foreigners) have been here since Monday and know the course well," Que said. "The heat will now be our only advantage."

Que tees off in the 12:20 p.m. group together with Thai star Prom Meesawat and Marcus Both of Australia, shooting for a second victory on the tour after scoring a breakthrough win in the Vietnam Masters last November.

"It’s tough when people look at you to win," said Que. "I like playing with less expectation because there is less pressure."

Focus will also be on Rosales, who is raring to atone for his so-so joint 42nd finish in last week’s Macau Open and playing with renewed confidence in the country’s premier golf championship co-presented by San Miguel Corp. and ICTSI.

"Okay naman ang palo and I think I have a good chance here," said Rosales.

Focus will also be on amateur Juvic Pagunsan, who nearly stunned the pros by finishing second to American Edward Michaels at Riviera last year, as well as Mars Pucay, Tony Lascuna, Rey Pagunsan and Jerome Delariarte, who won the rich Razon Cup at The Country Club in February.

The $200,000 Asian Tour tilt is backed by Pagcor, PAL, Hanjin heavy industries and construction company limited, Aboitiz Group, Petron Blaze, PCSO, the Department of Tourism and Malarayat Hotel and Inn.

Omega is the official timer and is a partner of the event like BMG Solar, Konica U-Bix, Human by Bench, Universal Robina Corp., Centennial Savings Bank, Patio Pacific of Boracay and Mizuno.