Aguri Iwasaki returned to the Philippines for the first time in five years.
After two days of official practice rounds for the $500,000 Smart Infinity Open, he found that Manila Southwoods – the host club where he has deep ties – remains as challenging as ever.
“Nothing has changed. It’s still very difficult,” Iwasaki remarked, referring to the Masters layout that will test some of the best players in the Asian Tour starting Thursday.
“It’s been five years. The course is still beautiful but very tough, especially when it gets windy.”
Iwasaki is practically a homegrown contender, having represented Southwoods in numerous team tournaments, including the Fil-Am and the Philippine Airlines Interclub.
He played alongside Yuto Katsuragawa, who is now a rising star on the DP World Tour.
“Three,” Iwasaki said, holding up three fingers when asked how many Interclub team titles he helped Southwoods win. “After that, I turned pro. But this is very much my home. I have lots of friends here.”
A winner of the 2023 Japan Open on the lucrative Japan Tour, Iwasaki returns to Manila Southwoods as one of the region’s elite players. However, he remains cautious about predicting what score might secure victory in Asia’s oldest national championship.
“It’s a Par-70, and it will be very hard,” Iwasaki said after tackling the meticulously maintained course, now playing two strokes shorter than he was accustomed to. “Especially if the winds come.”
Another Southwoods stalwart, Angelo Que, the 2008 Philippine Open champion, highlighted the importance of local knowledge when the tournament tees off on Thursday.
“The good thing going for us is that those familiar with the course know where to miss,” Que said. “That’s not something you can learn in just two practice rounds. It takes years to acquire that level of understanding.”
The National Golf Association of the Philippines president Martin Lorenzo has confirmed the tournament is ready to kick off, starting with the Pro-Am on Wednesday, featuring more than 100 four-man teams.
“Good luck to all the players,” Lorenzo said. “To our Filipino players, play with passion and make our country proud. May this historic tournament bring out your best. Mabuhay!”
