Tough cast starts hunt for RP Open title

With the crack foreign field all pumped up and the local contingent all fired up, expect a spirited battle for top honors right in the first round of the Philippine Open, which fires off today at Wack Wack’s east course.

Australian Scott Strange is back eyeing a rare RP Open double but will be taking on a field that is a lot tougher than the one he dominated here last year, including former Asian Tour No. 1 Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Pakistan Open winner Airil Rizman Zahari of Malaysia, local aces Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Gerald Rosales, Robert Pactolerin and Tony Lascuna, former champions Wang Ter-Chang of Taiwan, Canadian Rick Gibson, Anthony Kang of the US, Adam Le Vesconte of Australia and American Edward Michaels and the comebacking Frankie Miñoza.

"It’s nice to be back, but it will be a lot tougher this time," said Strange, who coasted to a five-stroke win over Park Jun-won of Korea for his second title in Asia last year. "Pagunsan is playing well and Miñoza will surely be there. So anyone has a chance."

That includes Zahari, who won the kickoff leg of this year’s Asian Tour with a two-shot victory over Schott Hend of Australia in the Pakistan Open and is confident of pulling off another win this week.

"I’m really looking forward to this Open and I hope to perform to the highest level," said Zahari, who shot a stirring 64 in the third round to anchor his romp in Pakistan. "But the greens here are very tricky so I think it will benefit those who can really putt well."

Pagunsan looms as the country’s best bet in the four-day championship sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and the First Gentleman Foundation although the 28-year-old 2006 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year said the pressure of living up to the fans’ expectations is so enormous.

"I am really pressured to deliver but I promise to do my best to win," said Pagunsan, toughened up by his stints in the Sony Open in Hawaii, a PGA Tour leg, and the Qatar Masters last week.

Pagunsan, who placed second to Michaels as an amateur in 2004 at the Riviera and the best Filipino finisher last year at joint sixth, will tee off with Michaels and Adam Blyth of Australia, the pro-am winner, in the 7:25 a.m. flight on No. 10.

But if there’s one player expected to crowd the favorites in pursuit of glory and the top purse of $47,550, it is Miñoza.

The 47-year-old Miñoza is back after a three-year absence and the reticent shotmaker has vowed no less than a victory in his return to the country’s premier championship which he topped in 1998 at the Riviera.

A total of 156 players are entered in the event, backed by Pagcor, San Miguel Corp., Philippine Airlines (official carrier), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Smart, Taise Shimizu, Hanjin, Takenaka, JAC, Srixon, Aboitiz, 100 Plus Isotonic Sports Drink and Absolute, including 13 amateurs, led by Asian Games bronze medallist Michael Bibat.

Emphasis will be on accuracy with the par-72 layout, spruced up to championship form, expected to provide a true test of golf for the men of the tour with its tight fairways and tricky putting surface.