Quiban has winning number in mind as Lascuña thinks survival

Justin Quiban thinks that something like 20-under is needed. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Justin Quiban and Antonio Lascuña see the coming Philippine Open differently.

The young Quiban is looking at a very low number to have a shot at winning, while the 54-year-old Lascuña is trying to imagine how he will contend in the $500,000 event that will be played at the stretched-out Masters course of Manila Southwoods.

“I really don’t feel that I have a great shot at winning,” Lascuña told the Inquirer in Filipino on Friday after his usual practice routine, saying that the sheer length of the 7,300-yard layout could take a toll on him. “I’m really at a disadvantage because of all the long hitters out there.

“Especially at this time of year when it’s windy out here,” he added. “Also, if we get some rain, it will be doubly difficult for someone like me.”

Lascuña continues to talk with a lot of humility despite his stature. He won the Philippine Golf Tour’s Order of Merit title last year and was the champion at the rich The Country Club Invitational in Laguna over Miguel Tabuena.

A lot say that is the ultimate test in distance in the country, and Lascuña went up against—and held off—a powerhouse in Tabuena almost a year ago.

“It’s different now. I’m a year older and a lot of young, good players have come,” he said. “But I will give it my best shot.”

One of those young players is Quiban, who sees something like “20-under winning it, because the Asian Tour guys are really, really good.”

Also a product of Southwoods during his amateur days, Quiban has vast local knowledge of the Masters course, something which he obviously would want to exploit.

“Anything can happen out there,” said Quiban. “And the way the [Asian Tour] guys are hitting it now, it could be a target practice for a lot of players in the field.

“Especially if we have some rain leading to the Open, that will soften the greens and make finding the pins easier for a lot.”