Cangolf, Del Monte aces vie in Samsung Am

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning national champion Rupert Zaragosa and newly crowned Canlubang Amateur Open winner Art Arbole and the leading players from Del Monte join the hunt in the Samsung Amateur Open, ensuring a wide-open battle for top honors in the event firing off tomorrow at Summit Point in Lipa, Batangas.

Zaragosa and Arbole have been tipped to contend for the crown in the centerpiece Championship Division along with Banny Abaño, Magno Arancon and Francis Morilla, members of the Frankie Miñoza Foundation from Del Monte, ICTSI team bets Zanie Boy Gialon, Reymon Jaraula, Alex Nallos and Brent Sumampong.

Also expected to crowd the favorites in the 36-hole tournament presented by Samsung Phils. are ace Korean players from Riviera, headed by Kim Tae Hwan, Won Yong Hwi, Hwang Kang Youl, Kim Chang Yeon, Park Gyu Ha, Song Seung Hyo and Park Min Ung.

Focus will also be on the ladies side of the tournament with members of the SEA Games-bound national team fighting it out for the crown in Class A, led by Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda, Andie Unson and Jayvie Agojo.

Ardina is coming off back-to-back victories in the Malaysian Juniors and Thailand Amateur Open, while Unson is fresh from winning the China Amateur crown and Agojo captured the Hong Kong Amateur title last month.