Resorts World Masters blasts off

CARMONA, Cavite—Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuña and the legendary Frankie Miñoza will banner the local challenge against the best of Asia when the inaugural $750,000 Resorts World Masters tees off at the Masters layout of Manila Southwoods here.

With course familiarity on their side, Que and Lascuña will have the edge over the rest of the field, while Miñoza is extra-motivated—like most in the local contingent—to play for the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Lascuña actually won the last two pro events played here, tallying 14-under last year at the Masters and holding off Que.

That was an all-Filipino event, though, and the trio would have to contend against foreign stars like Thaworn Wiratchant and Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand, Dyoti Randhawa and SSP Chowrasia of India, reigning Philippine Open champion Mardan Mamat of Singapore, Solaire Open champion  Lin Wen-tang of Chinese-Taipei and bets coming from Europe, the United States and Australia.

Two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden will have Que and another dangerous Thai in Chapchai Nirat as flightmates in the 11:45 a.m. group teeing off from No. 1, before Lascuña gets going together with Aussies Scott Barr and David Lipsky.

Miñoza tees off 20 minutes earlier than Que together with Mamat and Adilson Da Silva of Brazil.

Also worth watching is Miguel Tabuena, the teen wonder who is seeking a first international win. Tabuena came close last year only to tumble with a final round 81 and hand Mamat the Open crown at Wack Wack East.

Lascuña, like Que, is a club member. And weeks before flying to India for the Indian Open last week, Lascuña has been playing the Masters, even scoring a hole-in-one two weeks ago on No. 5, the sixth ace of his career.

Asian Tour officials earlier decided to stage the event after careful consideration and consultation with the local golf associations, authorities and relief agencies.

Along with its partners, Resorts World Manila and Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, they  also pledged to support the Philippine Red Cross directly in its effort  to provide aid and assistance to alleviate the human suffering caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

“The Asian Tour has a close affinity with the Philippines through our long history of supporting the game of golf in the nation. We feel for the people affected by this unfortunate tragedy and hope that through the staging of this tournament and through our support of aid and relief programmes, we will be able to help in whatever way possible,” said Mike Kerr, the Tour’s CEO. With a report from Asian Tour News