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Gibson hopes to repeat 2002 win at Wack Wack

Canadian stalwart Rick Gibson hopes a timely return to Wack Wack Golf and Country Club for next week's Philippine Open will snap his recent slump in form.

The 44-year-old veteran, who has lived in Manila for the past 17 years, was the winner at Wack Wack's fabled East course when the Philippine Open was last staged there in 2002. A week before its 90th edition, Gibson is pushing hard for history to repeat itself.

Four years ago, he entered the Philippine Open following a three-year hiatus but came out on top of the heap with a four-stroke victory at Wack Wack It was the second wind that he was looking for in his illustrious career which includes nine other titles across Asia and Japan, as well as in his native country.

His form on the Asian Tour this season, however, has been far from his usual high standards – he has made only three cuts from 10 tournaments - but Gibson is optimistic of a strong showing in his adopted homeland.

"The way I've been playing over the past month, I'm thinking of another break," joked Gibson, who is ranked a lowly 74th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit. "I'm having a tough time physically and mentally. I'm trying to get the grind on which is usually my game. I'm not doing that right now."

Gibson said his legs have not been "working properly" in his golf swing, causing his normally graceful rhythm to go into disarray. "My energy levels are not up and psychologically, I'm feeling it as well. I'm striking the ball horribly. When my energy is down, my timing goes off and timing is everything for me. I'm taking this week off (from the Macau Open) to get ready for Wack Wack.

"My legs are shutting down which shouldn't happen as I normally work hard. I'm going to work on my fitness this week. I feel tired even before I tee off."

He recalls clearly his triumph of 2002 where he romped home by four strokes. Gibson and runner-up, American Robert Jacobsen were the only two under par achievers that week and the Canadian warned his rivals that a dry Wack Wack course will send scores soaring again.

"Historically, if you are under par at Wack Wack, you have a very good chance of winning. It's a tricky course. There are just two par fives and it's one of those courses where it's hard to find birdie opportunities. If you start missing greens, it's easy to make bogeys or worse. If it stays dry, it'll play tough. And the end of May is normally the hottest time in the Philippines," said Gibson.

"Winning in 2002 was kind of a second wind in my career. I wasn't all that consistent after taking my long break but it came together that week. The Philippine Open is like my home Open now. I've played in the Canadian Open only once in the last 15 years. To me, the Philippine Open is one of my majors," said Gibson, who met his wife and one of the Philippine's most famous actress, Josephine Garcia at the 1987 Philippine Open.

To boost his confidence, Gibson will bring along his lucky charm to Wack Wack, in the form of his two young children. When he won in 2002, it was the first time they had watched him in action.

"Maybe a second time will be a charm as well," said Gibson.

May 18, 2006