SW’s Masters in great shape for Philippine Open

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines — The Masters layout of the posh Manila Southwoods complex here is coming close to achieving the tough character that will challenge some of the best in the Asian Tour when the $500,000 (around P29 million) Smart Infinity Philippine Open gets off the ground on Thursday.

The roughs have grown to its desired height of at least three inches, the greens are rolling a lot faster because of the weather, and with the pins to be placed on tricky spots, the demands are real for whoever wants to win the revival of Asia’s oldest national championship.

Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que and Japan Tour regular Justin delos Santos will be spearheading the local charge in the 72-hole championship, the kickoff leg of the new Asian Tour season, with the trio expressing utmost determination to win.

The 30-year-old Tabuena has been at Southwoods everyday since last week and playing the Jack Nicklaus masterpiece with a new caddy in Kenneth Quillinan even as Que, the 2008 champion at Wack Wack, believes that it will all boil down to a putting battle on Open week.

“It’s important that your putting is at its sharpest next week,” Que said.

Delos Santos, meanwhile, planed in on Saturday and sampled the layout for the first time Sunday.

“Just happy to be here. This is certainly a special tournament,” Delos Santos said.