Home hero Angelo Que is ready to overcome an uncharacteristic run of poor form when he shoots for a second ICTSI Philippine Open victory at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club next week.
The jovial Filipino has won three Asian Tour victories including the 2008 Philippine Open in his career but after enjoying his best Order of Merit placing in 13th position, he has yet to hit top form in 2014.
A return to his National Open, which is Asia’s oldest national championship, will certainly bring out the best in Que when he tees up against an elite field for the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament from May 15 to 18.
He will be joined by a myriad of Asian Tour champions including title holder Mardan Mamat of Singapore, eight-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, popular Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman and current Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri of India.
Prayad, Siddikur and Lahiri were all part of Team Asia which forced a memorable draw with Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in Malaysia in March.
Berry Henson of the United States, who won the 2011 Philippine Open, Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, a six-time Asian Tour winner and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, a two-time Asian Tour number one, will also feature in the storied event which returns onto the Asian Tour schedule following a one-year hiatus.
Que will need to rise to the occasion after missing two cuts in four starts on the Asian Tour this year. His best result so far was tied 21st at the Solaire Open on home soil where he led into the final round before stumbling out of contention following a final day 82.
He insists that he has recovered from that setback which was marred by a devastating 12 on the par five second hole and is ready to make amends at the ICTSI Philippine Open.
“It is a lesson learnt for me. I had a chance to win but blew it on one hole. These things happen. That’s golf and life. All you can do is look back and see what you’ve learnt and move on. Everybody has bad days. Unfortunately for me, it was just one bad hole,” Que reflected.
“I’ve experienced worse than this. I’ve had slumps before and gotten back on my feet. Since last year, I’ve always been knocking on the door. All I have to do is play four good rounds and avoid the one big mistake,” added the 35-year-old.
Thai veteran Prayad will make a welcome return to the ICTSI Philippine Open since his tied sixth finish in the 2007 edition. The 48-year-old enjoyed a superb 2013 season when he completed a Royal double by winning the Queen’s and King’s Cup on home soil.
He ended the year in seventh place on the Order of Merit and was subsequently picked as the Captain’s wild card for the inaugural EurAsia Cup where he contributed 1 ½ points in Team Asia’s tie with Europe.
“Winning in Thailand and being in the EurAsia Cup have given me added motivation. I hope I can continue to play like how I’ve been playing of late,” said the ageless Prayad.
Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner, will put his sharp-shooting game to good use at the challenging Wack Wack Course. The Bangladeshi is one of the most consistent players on the Asian Tour, where he has finished inside the top-10 of the Order of Merit in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
With renewed confidence after playing a pivotal role in the EurAsia Cup, Siddikur is hopeful of making a return in to the winner’s circle again following his last victory at the Hero Indian Open in November.
“I feel confident now with where my game is and I need to continue to keep working in all aspects of my game to become a better player. I want to have the opportunity to contend for tournaments every time I’m playing,” said Siddikur.
