RP golfers stay on top in WC qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines stayed in command at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Asian Qualifier despite Mars Pucay and Angelo Que’ one-over-par 72 in the foursomes at the Seri Selangor Golf Club in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia yesterday.

The leading duo, who credited their strong friendship for their successful combination, saw their overnight four-shot lead trimmed to three strokes after Singaporean’s Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat came through with the day’s best of even-par 71 in the alternate shot format.

Counting its flawless 11-under par 60 in the four-ball in the first round, the Philippines pooled a 132 heading into the last 36 holes of the elims for Asian teams.

Singapore had a 135 while Hong Kong moved up to third at 138 after a 72 as David Freeman and Wong Woon Man stepped up HK’s bid for one of the three tickets to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China in November.

Malaysia’s Iain Steel and Danny Chia and the Myanmar duo of Zaw Moe and Soe Kyaw Naing were in joint fourth after rounds of 74 and 73, respectively, for 140s.

Pucay and Que, playing together for the second consecutive year, said their relaxed attitude has been the key to their strong combination. “I don’t know what makes us good partners, probably because we are good players,” Que said in jest.

“It is our relationship on the golf course because every time we are on the course, it is not always about golf, we talk about other things. It really goes down to the two players as you have to be comfortable with each other,” said Que, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

They combined for two birdies against three bogeys, which included two dropped shots in their last three holes.

“The foursomes format is tough because you might miss a shot but we have a good relationship,” said Pucay, who finished in the top-10 at the World Cup with Que last year.

Mardan and Lam, chasing their fourth appearance in the World Cup, started their round strongly with four birdies on their outward nine but stumbled coming home with two bogeys and one double bogey on the final hole.

“If you’ve given us 71 at the start of the day, we would have been happy to take it. On this course, you have to get the birdies early and try to hang on at the end. We have to figure out how to play the last six holes,” said Lam, winner of the 2008 Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand.