2008 Philippine Open - Event Preview: Confident Que concentrates on home success

With a ticket to the British Open in hand, Angelo Que is now eyeing success in his most important Major, the Philippine Open, which starts on Thursday.

The Filipino is brimming with confidence ahead of the US$300,000 Asian Tour event at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club after earning one of four places to the British Open at qualifying in Singapore last week.

It was a timely boost for Que as he has endured a lean spell since winning his maiden Asian Tour title in 2004.

“I’m pretty excited and confident that I'll do well this week. I have been playing well this year, so I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully the putts will go in,” said Que, who is the first Filipino since Frankie Minoza in 1998 to qualify for the British Open.

“It means a lot to be playing in our National Open and also the oldest Open in Asia. I would say the Philippine Open is one of the most important events for any Filipino golfer.”

After his maiden breakthrough in the Carlsberg Masters Vietnam when he beat a field that included Thongchai Jaidee and Corey Pavin, Que was tipped to win more times across the region but he has been overshadowed by the success of compatriots Juvic Pagunsan, Artemio Murakami and Minoza, this week’s defending champion, who all won titles on the Asian Tour last season.

Then at the end of last season, he sat down and identified his weaknesses which were his low percentages of hitting greens in regulation and putting and worked hard at improving his game during the break.

The results have so far been encouraging where in four appearances this season, Que has played in every round before capping a successful campaign at the British Open qualifying at Sentosa Golf Club.

“For the past two years, I've been inconsistent in every aspect of my game especially my greens in regulation and putting stats. I decided to work on those areas and with the help of my sports psychologist Andrea Furst and swing coach Bong Lopez, I gained the confidence I needed to be where I am right now,” said Que.

While he knows it will be a dream come true to triumph on home soil this week, the 29-year-old has been in the game long enough to know that golfers need lucky breaks to enjoy success.

In Singapore, Que acknowledged that Lady Luck was on his side as in the fourth play-off hole against Tomohiro Kondo of Japan, he drained a 40-foot birdie putt to earn the fourth and final spot.

“It certainly has boosted my confidence. Qualifying for the British Open Championship would boost anybody's confidence,” he said.

“Wack Wack is one of its kind. It has a great layout, good conditions and very interesting greens. I think the players will have so much fun and they would love the challenge.

“I came pretty close last year but finished poorly on the last six holes. I was inconsistent and impatient and I think I know now what I have to do in order to give myself a better shot at the title this week,” said Que.

The Philippine Open, a full-field Asian Tour event, is the eighth leg of the 2008 Schedule.

March 31, 2008

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