Que, Pucay open bid in World Cup elims

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que and Mars Pucay team up again in pursuit of a berth in this year’s World Cup as they join 13 other countries in the Omega Mission Hills Qualifier beginning today at the Seri Selangor Golf Club in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Que and Pucay led in the third round in last year’s elims and wound up second to clinch a spot in the tournament proper where they finished joint 10th with France and Chile in Mission Hills, China.

This time, however, the duo faces a stiff challenge from the rest of the field, led by Malaysia (Iain Steel, Danny Chia), Singapore (Lam Chih Bing, Mardan Mamat) and Myanmar (Zaw Moe, Soe Kyaw Naing).

The format of play will be similar to the World Cup where four-ball is played in the first and third rounds while foursomes (alternate shot) is played in the second and final rounds with the top three finishers advancing to the World Cup in November.

Que and Pucay mix it up with Nigerians Christian Godfrey Utubor and Edet Michael Umoh in the second flight at 8:20 a.m., hoping to come up with a solid start in the four-ball in a bid to gain momentum for a top three finish in the four-day elims.

“It is a different feeling playing here because you are playing for your country and not yourself. It is always nice to represent your country. We have been playing together for a while but it is more of a mental preparation because we have done it before,” said Que, the 2008 Philippine Open winner.

Pucay, meanwhile, said putting will be the key for the Filipinos bid for a return trip to the World Cup.

“The putting surface is quite tricky with the undulating greens so you will need some great putts. I think three of us (Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia) are the top contenders here but we can’t take anything for granted,” said Pucay.

A total of 28 nations will make up the final teams to play in the World Cup slated Nov. 26-29 where they will shoot for a total prize fund of $5.5 million.

Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson of Sweden are defending champions.