$1M Resorts World Manila Masters: Juvic, region’s big guns face off

MANILA, Philippines - An early shootout among the region’s best and finest looms as Juvic Pagunsan drew Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jeev Milkha Singh of India in the featured flight kicking off the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters presented by 918.com at Manila Southwoods’ Masters course in Carmona, Cavite today.

But ranged against Aphibarnrat, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and Singh, a two-time OOM winner, Pagunsan, who also topped the Asian Tour’s OOM derby in 2011, said he likes his chances but remains wary of the top-notch opposition in the richest-ever tournament held in the country.

“I like my chances here but it will be tough with so many good, talented players around,” Pagunsan told The STAR.

Pagunsan has not seen action on the local front the last two years and his rare appearance this week makes the event worth watching with the country best represented by its current best player who has made Japan his base.

The troika tees off at 7:20 a.m. on No. 10 before an expected big gallery eager to watch three of the region’s aces in what could be a showcase of world-class shotmaking and iron play on the hazard-laden layout bracing for a beating from the men of the tour.

“I think the course suits my game,” said the long-hitting Aphibarnrat. “I’m happy there’s not too much rough so that I can whack it. I just try to hit as long as I can play. I played 12 holes and can reach the par-5s in two. So it’s going to be a big week to make a score.”

Singh, one of Asia’s most decorated players with six Asian Tour victories and many more in Japan and Europe, said he’s glad to be back and play in the country after two decades and looks forward to a successful weekend with solid driving.

“My game’s feeling good. The only thing I need to work on is my driving. If it’s in place, I think I will have a good week,” said Singh.

So do a host of players eager to get a crack at the top $180,000 purse (P7.9 million) in the 72-hole championship with local favorite Angelo Que hoping to cash in on his local knowledge of the par-72 layout.

“I feel at home here. It’s my home course and my home country. I’ve been playing solid the last few months and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been working a lot with my coach and hopefully it would be the week where I’m going to do it,” said Que, grouped in an equally tough threesome with Aussie Scott Hend, winner of the recent Hong Kong Open, and Indian Jyoti Randhawa, another former OOM winner.

“I think we’ve got one of the strongest fields here in a full-field Asian Tour event this year. It would mean the world for me and my family if I can win this week,” said Que, No. 5 in the current Asian Tour OOM ranking.

China’s Liang Wen-chong launches his back-to-back title bid here against Thai ace Prom Meesawat and Aussie Adam Groom at 11:45 p.m., also on No. 1, while reigning three-time ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour OOM champion Tony Lascuña hopes to come out strong in early tee-off at 7:10 a.m. on No. 10 in the company of Thai Chapchai Nirat and Englishman Steve Lewton.

Four of the Asian Tour’s young turks – Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, Sri Lankan Mithun Perera, Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung and Filipino Miguel Tabuena – are also in the elite roster, each raring to gain a crack at a maiden Asian Tour win.

Other backers of the event are Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Bally Technologies, Aristocrat, International Gaming Technology, Renoir Implementation Services, Marriott, Philippine Airlines, Maybank and PLDT.