Wack Wack suits game of ex-champ

After a three-year absence, Adam Le Vesconte is back in the Philippine Open, not much hoping for a title repeat following a long layoff but just using his exemption as a former winner of Asia’s oldest golf championship.

“This is my first tournament since November. And I’m only playing because of the exemption, being a former winner of the Open,” said Le Vesconte, who beat Gerald Rosales by four shots with a stirring final round 64 to capture the RP Open crown at Mt. Malarayat in 2005.

He took home $31,500 for that feat, his breakthrough win since he turned pro in 2003, and which he used to put up his Eagle Boys pizza parlor back home in Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

But make no mistake about the Australian shotmaker, who will turn 37 in two weeks, isn’t on a pleasure tour. In fact, he said he remains in fine form despite a long layoff and upbeat on his chances at Wack Wack’s east course.

“I’m a short hitter and straight off the tee so this course suits me fine,” said Le Vesconte, adding that the par-72 layout is the best course he has played on the last three years.

But to be in contention, Le Vesconte said he should be fairly accurate towards the green.

Like the general consensus, he said anyone is a good bet to win the top $47,550 but picked the likes of Frankie Miñoza and Juvic Pagunsan as the leading Filipino players for the championship.

Le Vesconte gets the chance to play alongside his 2005 Open victim Gerald Rosales in the 11:45 a.m. flight on No. 1 with India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar the third player in the fold.

“It’s good to return back to Manila for the Philippine Open. It brings back vivid memories being a former champion of the event. Winning the tournament was one of my highlights in my golfing career so it’s always nice to start the year here,” said Le Vesconte.              – Dante Navarro