QUE IN UPBEAT MOOD AHEAD OF PHILIPPINE OPEN  

Manila, March 31:   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.

The 2008 Philippine Open will return to the renowned Wack Wack Golf and Country Club from April 3-6. The main sponsors include the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Airlines and Stradcom. The US$300,000 Asian Tour event is also backed by Crowne Plaza Galleria (Official Hotel), Johnnie Walker, 100 Plus (Official Sports Drink), Srixon (Official Ball) and Pin High (Official Apparel). It is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and National Golf Association of Philippines and supported by the Philippine Department of Tourism. The Philippine Open 2008 will include a one-hour highlights show while the Asian Tour Weekly Magazine show will also capture the excitement of the event over ESPN Star Sports.

  LIANG WARMS UP FOR MASTERS WITH 12TH PLACE FINISH IN US  

March 31:   China’s Liang Wen-chong finished a commendable tied 12th at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans which concluded on Sunday.

The reigning Asian Tour number one carded rounds of 71, 72, 69 and 69 for a 281 total, six shots behind winner Andres Romero of Argentina. His wonderful performance saw Liang pick up a cheque of over US$110,000.

The strong outing will be a huge boost for the Chinese star as he will make his debut at the US Masters, the year’s first Major, next week. Liang will be joined at Augusta National by India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng.

Daniel Chopra, a former Asian Tour regular, was tied 33rd on 284 while Korea’s Jin Park was a further stroke back in tied 42nd place in the US PGA Tour event.

Chopra will also make his Masters debut next week thanks to his victory in the season opening Mercedes Benz Championship.