THE COUNTRY’S best golfers try to stave off several top foreign bets as the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation tees off today at the East Course of Wack Wack in Mandaluyong.
Among those who will aiming for honor and glory in this prestigious tilt is Cebuano ace golfer Lloyd Jefferson Go, one of the pillars of the Cebu Country Club team who took the title in the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub last year.
Go will be joined by several of the Philippines’ top amateurs led by former national titlist Rupert Zaragosa and Jobim Carlos, a standout of the national team.
The race for the crown is expected to be a fierce one especially with the absence of the defending champion Gregory Foo of Singapore. In his place, though, are elder brother George along with veterans Jerome Ng, Marc Ong and Thomas Tan.
Also playing are up-and-comers Andres Saldana, Basti Lorenzo and Gabriel Manotoc together with several Korean expats playing out of exclusive courses in the country.
The tournament will be tough with cuts to be performed after the first and third rounds for the men. Limited to a 70-player field, only the top 50 and ties will advance to the second round and after the third round, only the top 25 and ties will play in the last 18 holes.
For the women, cut will be after the second round, with only the top 12 women and ties playing in the last 18 holes. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio