Rosales counting on his putter to deliver in Jakarta

Gerald Rosales is enjoying one of his best starts to the season and he hopes to wield his magical putter once again for a successful outing at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open which starts on Thursday.

Thanks to a change in putter, the 30-year-old Filipino is currently flying high in fifth position on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit. He finished 29th at the Pakistan Open last month, was the runner-up at the Philippine Open before posting a top-20 finish in Malaysia last week.

Rosales, who had won the 2000 Philippine Open, is now ready to battle the elite field in the US$1.05 million event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Among the top stars who will grace the course at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club include Thai sensation Thongchai Jaidee, former winner and compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant, and defending champion from England Simon Dyson.

“I’ve been really playing well the past three weeks and I’m up there in the money list. I hope to continue with the way I’m playing for the rest of the year,” said Rosales, who has been training under coach Gerard Cantada for the past three years.

Rosales, who had enjoyed a stunning amateur career with numerous wins, had been struggling on the greens for four years but after a change in putter mid last year, he is now finding the right touch with his Odyssey 2-ball putter.

“I’ve been putting better this year and striking the ball really well thanks to my coach. He told me to switch to a long putter which I started using since the Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters last year. I’ve been struggling with my putting but ever since I changed to the long putter, I’ve never missed the cut and have been delivering well this year,” said Rosales, who made the cut in 10 straight events ever since switching to the long putter.

“I’ve also made a little bit of change to my swing too and I’m getting there.

“This is one of my best starts to the season. I’ve been hitting it good and hope to keep it going. I want to play it shot by shot here though. It’s hard because there are so many top players here but I’m going to enjoy myself and give myself a chance for the weekend,” he said.

“My strong form has helped me tremendously on the mental aspect of my game as well. I’m really confident with my strokes now which makes it is easier to hit my shots,” said Rosales.

The 16-year-old wildcard Ardy "Ganden" Putra Soetopo will be among the top local players determined to bring cheers to the fans who are expected to flock to the course this week.

“My goal for the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open is to make the cut against this strong field of players. The course can be quite a challenge as the fairways are good but the rough is high and the wind can be troublesome,” said Soetopo.

Thailand’s young duo Chinarat Phadungsil and Prom Meesawat, who both finished in the top-10 in Malaysia, are also tipped to stay among the frontrunners when they face off with the big boys this week.

February 13, 2007

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