PHILIPPINE OPEN RELATED STORIES Philippine Open home page Philippine Open Preview Round 1: Six share first day lead in Manila Round 2: Liang holds on to lead at halfway Round 3: Frankie Minoza makes his move Round 4: Masterful Minoza lifts title for 2nd time Final Scores & Prize Money AT Order of Merit after the Philippine Open Minoza on a mission in Manila New sponsors illustrate growth in Philippines Pagunsan gunning for home victory Thaworn chasing win no. 8 in Manila Minoza to star in Philippine Open line up Philippine Open to return in February Philippine Open delayed - new date not set Que seeks return to winning ways in Manila Strange looking for Philippine double 2006: Strange joins illustrious winners ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Angelo Que eyes home success

Local hero Angelo Que will be competing on familiar ground as he bids for home glory at the Philippine Open which starts on Thursday.

Having played on a course which he has frequented for the past 20 years, Que is on a quest hoping to use his experience at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club for a top result this week.

“It will be a huge confidence booster if I win this event in front of the home fans especially here at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. I enjoy playing at this course as I have heaps of friends here,” said the 29-year-old Filipino.

“I’ve been playing here since I was nine-years-old and almost every time I compete at this course, I deliver a good result, so backed by my improved game now, I hope to deliver a winning performance,” added Que, who has gained renewed confidence after his performance in Doha last week.

“I played well last week but just got a little bit unlucky. I was driving it nice and my iron play was consistent too. My overall performance in Doha has definitely inspired me and given me the confidence coming here,” said Que.

Spending time polishing his game during the December break, Que, who was ranked 45th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit last year, believes that he is on the right track for a solid season ahead.

“I did not lay off golf entirely during the break. I played golf three times a week and still managed to spend time with the family, so my build-up to the season has been good.”

“In terms of preparation for this event, I have looked at in a positive way. Although I did not make the cut in Doha, my overall game has improved in comparison to last year. Plus I had more time to hit it out on course here as I arrived early,” said Que.

Among Que’s strongest contender is compatriot and former winner Gerald Rosales who admitted that he will be putting in twice as much effort for a second win this edition.

“I’m going to work twice as hard this season, including here in Manila. I’m determined to get a win this year and what better way than to do it here. I’ve been working hard on my swing and my putting, and I’ve had a good round of golf here so let’s see what happens,” said Rosales, who won the event in 2000.

Australia’s Scott Strange has also made a return to defend his title. He will be flanked by other Asian stalwarts that include Korea’s Park Jun-won, who finished runner-up last year, Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari, the newly crowned Pakistan Open winner, local talent Juvic Pagunsan and Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang.

“The course is in excellent shape. The greens are rolling fast and the fairways are good so the battle is on as I’m all prepped and ready for the challenge this week,” added Rosales.

The Philippine Open is the third leg on the Asian Tour schedule this season which offers no fewer than 29 events and a total prize fund of over US$26.5 million.

ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE OPEN 2007

The Philippine Open will be staged at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club this week. It is organised by the National Golf Association of Philippines, supported by the First Gentleman’s Foundation and sanctioned by the Asian Tour. The main sponsors are ICTSI, San Miguel, Philippine Airlines (official carrier), PLDT, Srixon (official ball), Motorola, Taise Shimizu, Hanjin, Takenaka, JAC and Aboitiz. The tournament offers US$300,000 in total prize money and is the third leg on the Asian Tour schedule.

January 30, 2007