Lascuña out to end PH Open jinx

For Tony Lascuña, it’s now or never as far as his quest for the elusive Solaire Philippine Open crown is concerned. The reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion admits he won’t be among the early list of favorites in the coming $400,000 event at The Country Club, saying the honor belongs to the power-hitters, not only from among the local players but also from the men of the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour. “Given the TCC’s length, the longhitters have the advantage,” said Lascuña, now 46 and who has long traded length for accuracy. “I’m not getting any younger and the field is teeming with young players who can hit it really long.”

But the amiable shotmaker, the winningest player on the local tour the last five years, believes he still got what it takes to win big-time tournaments, particularly the one missing in his vast trophy collection.

“There are a lot of good players now. I just want to be able to give myself a chance against them,” said Lascuña, whose best finish in Asia’s oldest National Open was joint second in 2014 won by Aussie Marcus Both at Wack Wack.

Like majority in the full field of 132 players, Lascuña said he likes his chances in the upcoming event held in cooperation with Meralco and PLDT, especially in the presence of the wind.

“The wind factor should partly take away the power-hitters’ edge but I have to play consistent and try to minimize my mistakes to get a chance. With my current form, I think this is my best chance to win the Open,” said Lascuña, who won five tournaments last year.