COURSE familiarity is always an edge, but Angelo Que notes that it also means added pressure for the home bets.
Que and the top local shotmakers look to defend home turf as The Country Club hosts the Asian Tour’s 2014 Solaire Open starting on Thursday in Canlubang, Laguna.
“I think we, the local guys, have the advantage,” said Que during Wednesday’s press conference at the Solaire Resort and Casino.
“We play in the TCC every year. We play there and we are pretty familiar with the conditions so it is an advantage to us,” added the top Filipino on the Asian Tour Order of Merit at 28th.
But Que stresses there is the pressure to deliver.
“Playing here at home, there is always added pressure. But you know everyone is behind you so it helps also,” Que said.
Lin Weng Tang will defend the Solaire Open crown he won last year at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club.
But the Taiwanese parbuster says it will be tough trying to defend a title, especially against a talented field at a different course.
“It is a bit challenging for me,” said Lin, through an interpreter. “I wish the players will have excellent games tomorrow.”
“The TCC is large for me. I’ll try my best,” said Lin.
Berry Henson feels there are certain elements on the course that suit his game, but stressed that putting will be the key.
“It’s a great golf course. There are a lot of American things to the golf course. That is my game. It is windy, the greens are quick but I have to make putts for a chance to win,” said Henson.
Veteran Frankie Miñoza admits that aside from the tough course, the challenge for him includes trying to keep pace with the younger generation of players.
“When you are 50, the chances of winning are getting smaller and smaller. I just have to go out and play hard,” said Miñoza.
Young star Miguel Tabuena has experienced the level of play on the Asian Tour and definitely knows what to expect from the strong field.
“I always like to believe that I have a chance every week. But it’s hard because the top players in Asia are here. I have to play very well and make my putts,” said Tabuena.