Que leads Philippine charge in star-studded Singapore Open

Angelo Que.

Pilipinas Golf

MANILA, Philippines — A formidable Philippine contingent takes on some of the region’s top and rising stars at the $2-million Singapore Open, which gets under way Thursday at the Sentosa Golf Club’s demanding Serapong course.

Leading the Filipino charge is three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que, who will spearhead the country’s campaign in the 72-hole championship. The tournament also offers coveted spots in The Open Championship, with the top two non-exempt finishers earning berths to the 154th staging at Royal Birkdale in England this July.

Que, the reigning Order of Merit champion on the Philippine Golf Tour, opens his bid alongside Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Australia’s Kevin Yuan in the 8:05 a.m. group on No. 1.

Fresh off his victory in the PGT’s season-opening leg at Lakewood, Justin Quiban gets going at 8:55 a.m. with Sarut Vongchaisit and Henry Chung, also from the first hole. Aidric Chan follows at 9:05 a.m., grouped with Liu Yung Hua and Khalid Attieh.

Meanwhile, rising talent Carl Corpus begins his campaign on No. 10 at 8:45 a.m., joining veteran Mardan Mamat and Finlay Mason. Corpus, winner of the Asian Development Tour and PGT events, aims to showcase the form that has marked him as one of the Philippines’ brightest young prospects.

The Singapore Open is part of the International Series, the Asian Tour’s elite tier of events that serves as a pathway to the LIV Golf League.

Headlining the strong international field are Asian Tour Order of Merit winners Kazuki Higa, John Catlin, Andy Ogletree, and Sihwan Kim. Also tipped to contend are Travis Smyth, Lucas Herbert, Peter Uihlein, Pravit Tangkamolprasert, Josele Ballester and Austen Truslow.