Thais seek Putra Cup title repeat

MANILA, Philippines - Thailand is all pumped up for a title repeat with world ranked Saksansin Poon heading the defending champion’s bid in the Putra Cup unfolding tomorrow at Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

Poon is currently ranked No. 65 in the World Amateur rankings, making him the player to watch in the 72-hole four-to-play, three-to-count format event also known as the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship.

He will be joined by Boonman Danthai as the Thais try to make it two-in-row and 11th in the last 17 staging of the annual tournament dominated by the Philippines with 17 titles.

But the Filipinos went on a slump since winning it last in 1996 in Myanmar with Tony Lascuña completing the sweep by copping the individual crown. It lost to Thailand in the last the two times the Philippines hosted the championship in 1998 and 2007.

The National Golf Association of the Phils., however, made sure it will field in the best possible team this year as it tapped Fil-Am talents to reinforce the squad headed by reigning national champion Rupert Zaragosa.

“We’re excited, it’s been a long wait for us,” Rico Hoey, the 17-year-old University of Southern California recruit. “We hope our country is excited as well.”

The NGAP also tapped Jonathan Delos Reyes, who is raring to help end the country’s long title drought.

“There’s no pressure on our part, only added motivation,” Delos Reyes said when informed of the Phl’s 17-year winless spell.

Jobim Carlos, an MVP Sports Foundation scholar at the University of San Francisco, completes the Phl roster in the event backed by the PLDT Amateur Golf Tour, PSC, POC, Philippine Golf Foundation, DOT, Asia Brewery, Turf Company, Sligo, Ping, Intramachineries Doosan, Suntrust, Crimson Hotel and Golf Depot.

Singapore, winner in 2011 at home, is also out to recapture the crown with the seasoned Jerome Ng leading their title drive while Malaysia, headed by Gavin Green, is also expected to crowd Thailand, Singapore and the host squad for this year’s crown.

Meanwhile, the Lion City Cup, for 17-and-under players, and the Santi Cup for women will also start tomorrow with the Philippines pinning its hopes on Regan De Guzman and two Fil-Americans in Katrina Briones and Simone Hoey.