ANGELO Que, the former Philippine Open champion who knows the Masters’ layout of the Manila Southwoods better than anyone else, believes that the P2.5 million tournament teeing off today will be one low-scoring affair.
“It’s going to be at least double-digit under-par with many breaking (par) each day,” Que said as he joins the likes of Juvic Pagunsan, Frankie Miñoza and Miguel Tabuena in the hunt for the P450,000 top prize.
Que, who was the spearhead of the Southwoods team as an amateur for so many years, said he has a slight advantage because of his familiarity with the course but believes that anybody “can play well and score there.”
“You have to play your A-Game there, otherwise, you will have a hard time,” said Que.
After finishing second to Thaworn Wiratchant in the Asian Tour’s Queen’s Cup in Thailand two weeks ago, Pagunsan will be taking fine form into the event.
Tabuena, meanwhile, has momentum on his side, and the 17-year-old rookie, after coming from behind to win at Eastridge last month, will be shooting for his third title of the season against another full field.
Antonio Lascuña, the current Order of Merit leader, is also fancied to score well, having been a member at Southwoods for much of his pro career.
Southwoods’ primary defense are the winds and its hard greens, giving the field no option but to land approaches short of the flagsticks.