Eyes on Phl bets in Centennial Open
The Philippine Open will hold its Centennial edition next month and it will be doubly significant if a Filipino pro will prevail in four days against one of the strongest international casts. In fact, it was the consensus among those who graced yesterday’s press launch for the 100th staging of Asia’s oldest National Open and the country’s premier championship. “This is the 100th Philippine Open. I hope a Filipino golfer wins,” said National Golf Association of the Philippines treasurer Al Panlilio during the launch of the blue-ribbon event at the Latin-inspired Waterside restaurant of the Solaire Resort and Casino, still the title sponsor of the Open. The others in attendance, including Antonio Lascuña and Jay Bayron, two multi-titled players chasing their first Open diadem, and 1990 champion Robert Pactolerin, shared the thought ahead of the event which offers a record purse of $600,000 on Feb. 28 to March 3 at The Country Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“The Filipino golfers have a good chance. The familiarity of the course will help us,” added Lascuña while stressing the toughness of the course.
“It’s a very long course and the winds make it tougher. If you score an even round each day, you’re in contention,” he said.
“We always prepare hard for the Philippine Open,” said Bayron.
Caloy Coscolluela, NGAP president, and Colo Ventosa, general manager of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., agreed.
The upcoming Open will be a milestone for Philippine golf.
“It’s Asia’s oldest National Open. And this one is special because it’s the 100th tournament,” said Thomas Arasi, Solaire Resort and Casino president and CEO.
“That’s what Solaire is all about – creating meaningful events and milestones,” he added of the golf tournament with a total pot of $600,000.
It’s the biggest purse in Philippine Open history, a big jump from last year’s $400,000 pot won by Englishman Steve Lewton, who edged American Johannes Veerman in a playoff, also at the TCC.
Lewton and Veerman advanced to the playoff with a four-day 287 or oneunder par, underlining the toughness of the course.
Miguel Tabuena, the last Filipino to win the Philippine Open in the rainshortened edition at Luisita in 2015, will see action together with Lewton.
Past winners have been invited this year, including Berry Henson of the United States in 2011, Mardan Mamat of Singapore in 2012 and Marcus Both of Australia in 2014.
“We expect all of them to be here,” said Ventosa.