Philippine Am Open starts today in Canlubang

THE battle for supremacy amongst the country’s top men and women golfers kickstarts the new year as the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship begins today at the north course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna.

Jobim Carlos, winner of last week’s NGAP National Doubles crown with Raymundo Gonzales, drew reigning Selangor Amateur champion Jerome Ng of Singapore in the 9:08 a.m. flight in what promises to be an explosive start in the featured group that includes Cebu’s top bet Lloyd Go and Alabang’s Andres Saldana.

Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning national and junior champion, is paired with Singapore’s junior titlist Gregory Foo in the other key foursome that includes Korean Song Seung Ho of Riviera and Gonzales at 9:17 a.m.

Carlos, Zaragosa and the other Cangolf bets hope to exploit their familiarity of the par-72 layout as they go all out for a strong start in the 72-hole championship.

Focus will also be on the ladies side with defending champion Andie Unson leading the crack roster of the ICTSI-backed bets that includes Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa, Sunshine Baraquiel and Lovelynn Guioguio.

They will have their hands full against a talent-laden foreign challenge led by reigning Singapore national champion Amelia Yong and teammate Koh Sock Hwee, winner of the 2011 Warren Amateur Open title, and Joey Poh, who finished second to Yong in the Singapore National Open.

Action in the 54-hole ladies division also starts today and tomorrow with the final round slated Sunday, according to the organizing National Golf Association of the Phils. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio