Que seeks end to slump at Phl Open

MANILA, Philippines - Local hero Angelo Que is ready to overcome an uncharacteristic run of poor form when he shoots for a second ICTSI Philippine Open victory when the $300,000 event is fired off beginning Thursday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East Course.

The jovial Filipino has won three Asian Tour legs, including the 2008 Philippine Open at Wack Wack but after enjoying his best Order of Merit placing in 13th position, he has yet to hit top form in 2014.

A return to his National Open, also Asia’s oldest national championship, will certainly bring out the best in Que when he tees up against an elite field for the four-day tournament serving as the sixth leg of this year’s Asian Tour.

He will be joined by a slew of Asian Tour champions, including titleholder Mardan Mamat of Singapore, eight-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, popular Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman and current Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri of India.

Prayad, Siddikur and Lahiri were all part of Team Asia, which forced a memorable draw with Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in Malaysia last March.

Berry Henson of the United States, who won the 2011 Philippine Open, Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, a six-time Asian Tour winner, and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, a two-time Asian Tour number one, will also feature in the storied event which returns onto the Asian Tour schedule following a one-year hiatus.

Que will need to rise to the occasion after missing two cuts in four starts on the Asian Tour this year. His best result so far was tied 21st at the Solaire Open on home soil where he led into the final round before stumbling out of contention following a final day 82.

He insists that he has recovered from that setback which was marred by a devastating 12 on the par five second hole and is ready to make amends at the ICTSI Philippine Open.

“It is a lesson learnt for me. I had a chance to win but blew it on one hole. These things happen. That’s golf and life. All you can do is look back and see what you’ve learnt and move on. Everybody has bad days. Unfortunately for me, it was just one bad hole,” Que said.

“I’ve experienced worse than this. I’ve had slumps before and gotten back on my feet. Since last year, I’ve always been knocking on the door. All I have to do is play four good rounds and avoid the one big mistake,” added the 35-year-old Que.

Also tipped to contend for the crown are reigning back-to-back Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña, young ace Miguel Tabuena, Elmer Salvador, Frankie Miñoza, Mars Pucay, Carl Santos-Ocampo and Cassius Casas.

Thai veteran Prayad will make a welcome return to the Philippine Open since he tied sixth finish in the 2007 edition. The 48-year-old enjoyed a superb 2013 season when he completed a Royal double by winning the Queen’s and King’s Cup on home soil.

He ended the year in seventh place on the Order of Merit and was subsequently picked as the Captain’s wild card for the inaugural EurAsia Cup where he was a factor in Team Asia’s tie with Europe.