Southwoods ready for Philippine Open

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines — The roughs will be grown longer, the greens will be faster, and with the winds buffeting this Southern part of the country at this time of year, the Masters course of the Manila Southwoods will be a big test for the Asian Tour field seeing action in the revival of the Philippine Open.

And what is a par-72 for members will turn into a par-70 for the $500,000 (roughly P29 million), 72-hole championship, and will be stretched well over 7,200 yards to make for a grueling challenge even for the best in the region.

The Masters, a Jack Nicklaus-created gem that has been the site of many prestigious amateur and international pro events, will be hosting Asia’s oldest national championship again on Jan. 23-26, and the exclusive club is leaving no stones unturned to make sure that it is in its best possible shape.

“We’re confident that the Masters will provide the challenge that will crown the most deserving Open champion,” Al Panlilio, chair of the governing National Golf Association of the Philippines who was instrumental in plucking the event out of a hiatus, said.