In-form Shin targets Solaire Philippines Open

MANILA, Philippines — Micah Shin hopes to cash in on his top form and solid grasp of the exacting The Country Club course as he sets out against a crack international field in the Centennial Solaire Philippine Open set to unfold Feb. 28 at the TCC in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

But while he bested the cream of the local pro plus three other fellow foreign bets in the just-concluded The Country Club Invitational, the lanky Korean-American admits it will be tougher and doubly challenging as the stakes go higher in the $600,000 event, also at the TCC.

For one, the field will be aiming for a record title as Centennial champion of Asia’s first National Open and the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and the sponsoring Solaire Resort and Casino are guaranteeing no less than a blockbuster staging of the 100th edition of the blue-ribbon event by assembling a cast of former champions, a slew of foreign aces and the leading and rising Filipino shotmakers.

“I’m looking forward to the Philippine Open. I really feel confident,” said Shin, 21, who became the youngest and first non-Filipino winner in the TCC Invitational by edging last year’s champion Miguel Tabuena by one last weekend.

“This was actually a practice tournament for the Phl Open,” said Shin.