TAGAYTAY CITY?The crack field seeing action in the $50,000 Mercedes Benz-Philippine Masters will get a feel of the sprawling Tagaytay Midlands layout here in a competitive atmosphere when the pro-am leading to the tournament proper kicks off hostilities today.

A total of 34 professionals, led by reigning Philippine Open champion Angelo Que and a rock-solid local contingent, will be teeing off along with distinguished celebrities in an 18-hole prelude to the second leg of the Asean Tour.

The Midlands is an exclusive layout located in the heart of this chilly summer destination. It is not as long as the other championship courses that the Asean Tour will have stops in, but the par-72 layout could pose as a formidable obstacle to the aspirations of each of the 120 players in the field.

With rain forecast for the rest of the week, the course will play longer. The winds will also be a factor as there are very few straight away holes in the layout.

Juvic Pagunsan, the 2006 Asian Tour?s Rookie of the Year, Antonio Lascuña and Order of Merit leader Mars Pucay are the other notable Filipinos in the field.

Thailand has the second biggest delegation with 30 while 13 players will represent Malaysia. Indonesia will have four and Vietnam and Singapore one each in the event exclusive to players coming from the Asean region.

Lam Chih Bing, the Singaporean who ruled last week?s opening leg in Indonesia, decided to skip the event and rest.

Que, who ruled the Open riding the momentum of a third round 66 at punishing Wack Wack East, will be playing with CATS Motors president Felix Ang, Babes Simpao and Peter Tanchi.

Pagunsan, meanwhile, will be in a foursome with Tagaytay Highlands president Jerry Tiu, Tagaytay Highlands founder Willy Ocier and CATS Motors chair Greg Yu. The shotgun start is at 7 a.m.

The top three professionals will receive cash prizes while their amateur partners get Callaway products.

With the 2007 earnings included for this season?s Order of Merit, Pucay and Que are showing the way with a little more than a thousand dollars separating them. Pucay has won $15,166.50 so far while Que has $14,084.50 including last week?s runner-up check.
Pucay, the 37-year-old former driving range hand in Baguio, won two legs last year.