Composure key for local bets battling star-studded field at Sta. Elena
There are two things that Angelo Que feels a Filipino would need to do to at least contend in the star-studded and rich International Series (IS) Philippines presented by Bingo Plus that tees off on Thursday at Sta. Elena.
“Playing with composure will be crucial,” Que told the Inquirer in Filipino when asked to assess the chances of homegrown bets seeing action in the $2-million (around P116M) event where four major champions are entered. “And of course, we all need to putt well, considering we all know the course.”
Que is one of the 11 Filipinos seeing action, and is given a fair chance considering that he has teed it up against strong international fields in the Asian Tour—and won—in the past.
“It’s not an easy golf course, even with our local knowledge,” Que added. “It’s tough and it’s long because it is soft [as a result of weeks-long rains].”
Led by Masters
Former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and fellow ex-Masters champions Patrick Reed and Charl Schwartzel, as well as ex-British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, banner the 144-strong field, with Miguel Tabuena coming in as the top Filipino hope with several IS participations under his belt.
The very best of the Asian Tour have also invaded local shores, counting reigning Order of Merit winner John Catlin of the United States, and LIV Golf mainstay Marc Leishman of Australia are also players to watch.
“This is a very strong field, probably the strongest [the country] has seen,” Que said. “We just need to not get ahead of ourselves.”
Que tees off at 7:40 a.m., with Tabuena in a marquee group together with Johnson and Oosthuizen that gets it going at 11:40 a.m.
The well-manicured Sta. Elena has been spruced up to world-class shape despite the rains in the past few weeks. And this is exactly why Que feels that the layout poses a big challenge.
But it could still be a high-scoring tournament, considering the caliber of the field that Tabuena said is made up of “world-class players who can adjust pretty quick.”
