Filipino golfers expect tough test at 108th Philippine Open at Manila Southwoods

Filipino golfers are getting early practice rounds on the Masters course of Manila Southwoods ahead of the 108th Philippine Open, and two of the home hopes expect the layout to play hard when the tournament begins next week, according to Edge Davao.

The championship carries a $1 million purse, about P64 million, the largest in the long history of Asia's oldest national open. Carl Corpus and Justin Quiban, two young local players seen as strong contenders, played the course in Monday afternoon's heat as television equipment was being set up around the greens.

Corpus, who played for the Philippines at the Asian Games for a second straight time last month, said he expects conditions similar to last year. Holes 4 and 15, usually par-5s for members, will play as par-4s, turning the Jack Nicklaus-designed course into a par-70. "They took away two scoring holes," Corpus said, adding that this could take about eight strokes off a player's four-round total.

Last year, Frenchman Julien Sale won at 11-under 269, one of the higher-scoring winning totals on the Asian Tour that season. Quiban, who tied for 16th with a 276, said a daily average of three under par should be enough to contend. He pointed to the added rough, saying approach shots from it would be hard to judge.

Only the 8th and 18th will remain par-5s. On the 8th, Corpus hit a 4-iron from 220 yards to about 16 feet for an eagle chance, and both players made birdie there.

Fairways will average 25 to 35 yards wide, and the course will measure under 7,300 yards, as the Asian Tour aims to stop players from overpowering it.

The field includes eight of the top 10 players on the Order of Merit and 10 former champions, led by Berry Henson of the United States and Filipinos Angelo Que and Miguel Tabuena.