Tough battle expected in Philippine Amateur Open

A wide-open battle for top honors in both the men’s and ladies divisions is expected when the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships is held Jan. 5 to 8 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

Wang Jeung-hun ran away with a six-shot victory over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera’s Langer layout last year but the Korean teener faces a stiff challenge this time, not only from Carlos and the other local aces but also from a slew of foreign challengers.

Top players from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed participation in the blue-ribbon event, kicking off a series of tournaments lined up by organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines this year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

But the challenge will most likely come from Carlos, who is coming off a big victory in last week’s NGAP National Doubles Golf Championship at the AFP Golf Club where he and partner Raymundo Gonzales dominated the field via a seven-stroke victory.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning junior and national champion, former titlist Clyde Mondilla, John Kier Abdon, Art Arbole and Miggy Yee of the ICTSI-Canlubang squad, Cebu’s Lloyd Go and the crack squad from reigning PAL Interclub champion Del Monte, led by Noel Langamin, Magno Arancon and Leonard Lofranco, are also in the fold, ensuring a battle royale in the stroke-play championship.

Others seeing action are jungolfers Carlos Packing and Lawrence Celestino of Eastridge, Forest Hills’ Raymund Inigo and Joseph Uy, Tagaytay Highlands’ Junro Mamaril, Jama Reyes of Alabang, Wolen Superal, Eugene Bunyi, Rogeio Roque, Miguel Shah of Alabang, Sebastian Lorenzo, Santiago Lorenzo, Gino Brizuela, Justin Quiban, Miko Alejandro and Brent Sumampong.

In the ladies side, Andie Unson is tipped to go up against her teammates in the ICTSI squad, headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio.