Minoza on a mission in Manila

The 47-year-old Filipino legend had previously won the title back in 1998 and had finished fourth in the 2002 edition. With ideal conditions at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Minoza believes that his rate of accuracy of the tee coupled with his potent putting will steer him through the top in the US$300,000 event.

“I’m happy to be back here. I worked so hard on my swing and my short game, so this year, I might have a chance to be up there,” said Minoza, who finished 28th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit last year.

“The course condition here is the best I’ve seen. I’ve been playing here for a long time and I’m always eager to get back to this course,” he said.

“I am hitting the ball better now in comparison to last year so I think my chances are really good.

“I am not only striking the ball well but my putting too has improved, plus I’ve changed my swing technique so I am quite optimistic this week. My target this season is to win at least one title on the Asian Tour and I will work towards that goal here,” he said.

Minoza reigned supreme 14 times in Asia that included six wins on the Japan Golf Tour. He had previously played in the US Masters and was back in contention once again with his runner-up showing at the 2006 season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia last December.

Having enjoyed a good start to his professional career, compatriot Juvic Pagunsan, who was the Rookie of the Year last season, hopes to continue his fine form with another top class performance at the Philippine Open.

“I hope to play in even more events that I had last year and produce a string of top results,” said Pagunsan.

“This course is tricky though, especially the greens. Putting will definitely be the key to success here.”

“I hope to be among the top players but Scott (Scott Strange) is very inspired for a repeat success and he will definitely be among the strong title contenders this week,” added Pagunsan.

Strange returns as the defending champion but he will be adopting a cautious approach as he faces a strong field that include Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang, Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari, who had won the Pakistan Open two weeks ago, and Thai sensation Thaworn Wiratchant. Former winner Edward Michaels, who claimed the title back in 2004, is also back in action this year.

“There are so many good players here. Juvic, of course, through his performance last year, Airil too has shown his strong putting game with his win in Pakistan, and also Frankie, who is always a top challenger, so it’s going to be a true test of golf,” said Strange.

The Philippine Open, which received the continued support of sponsor PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), is the third leg on the Asian Tour Schedule this year which promises to offer no fewer than 29 events to a total prize money of US$26.5 million.

January 31, 2007

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