RW Manila Masters puts up record $1-M purse

CARMONA, Cavite—The second Resorts World Manila Masters gets going in six weeks with a record $1 million up for grabs at the Manila Southwoods course in Carmona, Cavite.

Chinese No. 1 Liang Wenchong is expected to be back to defend his title against the finest of the Asian Tour, including Angelo Que who is hoping to put up four solid rounds and win the title for the Philippines.

“It’s always nice playing on home soil because of all the support we (Filipinos) get,” Que said yesterday during the event’s launch at Southwoods’ magnificent Masters layout.

“I really hope to just hold it together for four solid rounds this year and see,” added the eloquent former Philippine Open champion and three-time Asian Tour winner, who was at the top of the leaderboard in the first two rounds last year before eventually finishing tied for 25th.

“It’s still going to be a low-scoring event, I think, especially if the winds don’t blow.”

Liang won the tournament’s first staging last year, besting burly Thai Prom Meesawat with birdie on the first playoff hole.

The Chinese with the unorthodox swing later donated half of his earnings to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Jeff Evora, the senior vice president for gaming of Resorts World Manila, announced the prize money—the biggest in any golfing event in the country.

With still six weeks left before the tournament’s Nov. 20 start, the Masters course is now in perfect tournament shape, with the greens expected to be made even faster.

Que named Miguel Tabuena, Antonio Lascuña and Elmer Salvador as the other Filipinos to watch in the 72-hole event.