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Source: Adrian Flores, gmanews.tv

-- Frankie Miñoza, still the Philippines’ No. 1 golfer, swings into action again in the Asian Tour beginning Thursday in the $5-million Barclays Singapore Open which will bring together the strongest line-up of international stars this year.

Already on his final year as a regular competitor, the 49-year-old Miñoza is aiming to get another title before he goes into the next level of competition — the United States (US) Senior Tour. A victory in Singapore will secure his status as one of the best golfers in the Asian Tour.

Miñoza’s probable successors will also be in the field. His protégé, Artemio Murakami, is in, as well as Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, Mars Pucay, and Antonio Lascuna.

Pucay and Pagunsan are looking to carry their good run at the Iskandar Johor Open a few days ago over to the Barclays Open, one of the final six tournaments in the Asian Tour schedule.

Luis Dacudao, the unheralded pro from Davao City, got through one of the slots in the qualifier last Sunday. Unluckily cut were Elmer Salvador, Marvin Dumandan, Michael Bibat and Gene Bondoc.

The RP contingent looks very strong on paper. But the Barclays won’t be easy picking for any of them.

Star-studded
American Phil Mickelson, the world number two player behind Tiger Woods, is entering the event full of confidence after his big contribution for Team USA in the Presidents Cup, hoping to bring his impressive form to Singapore.

Joining two-time Masters champion Mickelson at the Barclays meet are fellow Major winners Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Ernie Els of South Africa, Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Additionally, the field will include 10 players in the world’s top-50 and a total of 118 winners from the Asian Tour and European Tour, which are co-sanctioning Asia’s richest national open for the first time.