A jubilant Antonio Lascuna will head into next monthâs US$8.5million WGC-HSBC Champions in high spirit after scoring on both his career and personal front.
The Filipino veteran has been one of the standouts on the Asian Tour this season, catching everyoneâs attention with his sparkling form.
After a tied-11th finish at The Championship in Singapore, the 43-year-old burst into life with five top-10s including three runner-up finishes in the Philippines, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei to surge up the Order of Merit where he is currently in fourth place.
While Lascuna may not have won his maiden title on the regionâs premier Tour yet, his results on Tour is an indication of an imminent breakthrough.
His performances have earned him a prize spot at the WGC-HSBC Champions as one of the leading four available players from the Asian Tourâs Order of Merit
Current Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States, Indiaâs Anirban Lahiri and American Jason Knutzon have also qualified for the WGC-HSBC Champions which is the richest tournament in Asia.
âIt has been a good season and it has exceeded my expectations. I couldnât have asked for more especially with my place secured in the WGC-HSBC Champions
Iâm really happy as this is the first time Iâll be playing at the WGC-HSBC Champions and Iâll really looking forward to it. The last time I was in China was for the 2007 World Cup with my partner Gerald Rosales,â said Lascuna.
A huge part of Lascunaâs success can be attributed to his wife who has been his pillar of support.
âMy wife has always been encouraging me to stay fit so that I can keep up pace with the younger golfers. Iâve been going to the gym and it has been working out really well,â said Lascuna.
With the impending arrival of his baby boy too, the father-to-be is ready to ride on his joy and create an impact in Shanghai.
âWe went to Boracay for a getaway and when we returned, I found out I was going to be a father! So much good news. Now I just want to play well against all these good players in Shanghai to round up a fantastic year,â said Lascuna.
Lascuna will face a formidable test as the final World Golf Championships event of the year will feature the worldâs leading players including Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer.
The Filipino however remains unfazed by the galaxy of stars as he seeks to put up a performance befitting of his status as one of Philippinesâ best golfers at the WGC-HSBC Champions which is the only country outside the United States to currently be hosting a one of the four prestigious World Golf Championship events.
âOf course they are all good players but my goal is to do my best because like the beauty of golf, anything can happen,â smiled Lascuna.
âIâve been playing nicely this year but I didnât have a good week in Hong Kong. My putting wasnât good that week and when I got home, I spent eight hours over the weekend just on putting and working on my putting stroke. Hopefully, I start rolling in the putts again as weâve got many big tournaments coming up in the next few weeks including the WGC-HSBC Champions,â added the Filipino.
The WGC-HSBC Champions is one of four World Golf Championships sanctioned and organised by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include the WGC- Match Play, WGC-Cadillac Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
