Pinoy bet primed to win Resorts World Masters title
This could be the year of the homegrown talent.
Foreign players have won the first four editions of the Resorts World Manila Masters. For its fifth and final leg, top honcho Stephen Reilly hopes a Filipino captures the $1-million event.
“I am hoping that this year, we can have a Filipino champion to take away the Resorts World Manila Masters trophy,” said Reilly, chief operating officer of Resorts World Manila in a press briefing yesterday at the Diplomatic Hall ballroom of the Marriot Hotel Manila.
“This will be, I’m sad to say, the last leg of the Resorts World Manila Masters. It’s something that we have cherished, something that we have worked extremely hard to put the Philippines on the map as a destination of choice for golf,” said Reilly.
In the inaugural event, China’s Liang Wen-Chong captured the title in 2013, then Singapore’s Mardan Mamat won the trophy in 2014, and Natipong Srithong of Thailand in 2015.
Last year, it was S.S.P. Chawrasia of India ruling the tournament.
This year’s Resorts World Manila Masters will be played again at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club from Nov. 9-12, and organizers have committed to put up a charity event to support the people affected by the unfortunate incident that occurred in the hotel on June 2.
Like in the past, the event is part of the Asian Tour, and Jeff Kimble, Asian Tour Commercial Director, said that there are a number of local players capable of winning the championship.
“Probably three or four Filipinos who have a chance to win it,” said Kimble, adding that he can’t confirm who among the Filipino players are seeing action until they get the final entry of participants.
However, in the eyes of Manila Southwoods chairman Robert Sobrepeña, two players are capable of pulling it off for a Filipino to win the event, which gives the winner $180,000 in cash prize.
“Miguel Tabuena, I know he would love to win this event. Another homegrown talent is Angelo Que,” said Sobrepeña.
“Angelo was part of the Southwoods team for many, many years as amateur and junior before he turned pro. So if there is anyone who knows this course inside and out, it’s Angelo,” he added.