$750,000 Resorts World Tourney: Que, Lascuña to defend home front

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña hope to put together a pair of solid games for individual glory in the rich Resorts World Manila Masters firing off tomorrow at Manila Southwoods’ Masters course and use it for their rare partnership in the World Cup of Golf next week.

While the best players from the region’s premier Asian Tour are tipped to slug it out for top honors in the $750,000 Resorts World tilt, focus will be on Que and Lascuña, who are expected to strike a formidable partnership and make Philippines proud in the World Cup in Melbourne, Australia.

A three-time Asian Tour winner, Que is upbeat of his chances in this week’s event, coming off an impressive joint fourth finish in last week’s Indian Open and competing in familiar surroundings.

“It’s nice to compete coming off a good finish and it’s always more comfortable to play at home though they say it’s a lot of pressure but I find it easier for me as I’m at home and I don’t have to travel,” said Que, who won the Philippine Open at Wack Wack in 2008.

Like Que, Lascuña is relishing the chance to play on his home course and put on a good show before he heads to Australia for a showdown with the world’s best two-man teams.

“I’ll be playing on my home course at Manila Southwoods and it’s great that I will have the opportunity to play in such an important event before I head over to the World Cup,” said Lascuña.

The ace Davaoeño shotmaker enjoyed his best ever season on the Asian Tour last year with three top five finishes and ended the year in a career high of 12th place on the Order of Merit while topping the local ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour OOM derby.

The 42-year-old is also eager to give a timely reminder that he can still contend at the highest level and join the exclusive group of proven winners from the Asian Tour who are in their 40s.

“I’m still fit and strong and I can still play well. These are certainly exciting times for me and I’m looking forward to playing my best golf as a good result at the Resorts World Manila Masters will ultimately give me lots of confidence at the World Cup,” said Lascuña.

Meanwhile, 30 spots will be given to players from the ever-growing ICTSI PGT with the aim of further developing local golf.

Heading the Resorts World Manila Masters cast are Thai ace Thaworn Wiratchant, the reigning OOM champion, Taiwan’s Lu Wei Chih, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, Thais Chawalit Plaphol and Prom Meesawat, Aussie Scott Barr, India’s Jyoti Randhawa and SSP Chowrasia, China’s Liang Wen Chong and local top guns Jay Bayron, Miguel Tabuena and Elmer Salvador.

Backing the event are Canon, Srixon, Nike Golf, BMW, Asia Brewery, Remington Hotel, Marriott Hotel and Sony.