Philippine Sports News and Updates

Bangkok — Frankie Miñoza still walks with a swagger and displays that same deceiving but sincere smile. Turning 50 two months ago, he brought his game back to championship form after shedding the excess pounds to turn his battle-weary body fit and lean, which made him look just half of his age.

Miñoza had posted Top 10 finishes in the 93rd Philippine Open at Mount Malarayat in December last year and The Country Club Invitational at the Country Club recently. He has been very happy with his performances and, again, that showed in the ongoing $300,000 Asian Tour International, Asian Tour's opening salvo for 2010.

His two-under-par 70, though, were enough to put him in joint 12th place with 11 others and trail the four-under-par 68s of co-leaders American Jason Knutzon, Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Brazilian Lucas Lee.

That first round score showed that the Philippines' reigning top professional golfer can still turn the heat on and is not yet over the hill despite his age.

And his usual explanation? "I was only lucky today," said Miñoza in Filipino.

Yeah, right. Fans are probably wishing that they'll be as lucky as their idol.

"Honest, at my age, this is already way beyond my expectation. It's a feat in itself," he added.

Speaking of feats, it was truly an exhilarating start to the new season, thanks to countryman Mars Pucay’s magical ace at the third hole which came on the back of an eagle as he recovered to end the day just one off the pace.

"The ace happened on the day of my 15th wedding anniversary with wife Leslie. It's as if it was part of a grand design. I dedicate it to her solely," Pucay said.

It was kind of windy and Pucay was lucky enough to bounce the ball at the right place and the right direction. "I made a six iron which bounced on the green and rolled in."

By contrast, Angelo Que could get his game going. He submitted a two-over-par 74 — a far cry from his scores at TCC. Worse, if he continues the trend, he'll surely miss the weekend rounds.

"Bawi nalang tayo," he said.

• GMANews.TV
• Philippine Sports Central