Salvador hopes to end slump in Philippine Open

The $300,000 ICTSI-Philippine Open, which is now back in the Asian Tour circuit with a bigger cash prize at its original home at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club's East course, might just what former champion Elmer Salvador needs to break out of his slump. Salvador's game has gone down considerably since winning the localized PHL Open at Mt. Malarayat two years ago where he also succeeded in three ICSTI-Philippine Golf Tour legs and, ultimately, the Order of Merit crown with earnings close to P1-million. The following year, Salvador was nowhere near his flawless form. "I lost some focus." But according to him, he's been working hard in getting back into fighting form, most especially his iron shots and putting, which helped him a lot in 2009. And now, he feels ready to be on top again and prove he’s still on one of the top pros to reckon with. "I'm going to give it all to win the Philippine Open. It will be sweeter this time, if ever, because foreign players are also in the field," Salvador said. One motivation for the 39-year-old star from Davao City is the $47,500 champions purse. He knows where to put this if he wins. "I will use that in the Qualifying School of the Asian Tour. I would like to have my regular card so I can play and earn as much as I can," he said. He knows, though, that to reach the Q-School, he'll have to go through a testy field which includes reigning titlist Artemio Murakami, ex-winner Angelo Que, rookie pro Miguel Tabuena, and the now US senior tour player Frankie Miñoza. The Philippine Open returned to the Asian Tour schedule through the efforts of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) headed by president Leandro Mendoza, golf patron International Container Terminal and Services Inc. (ICTSI) and the Asian Tour officials. – Adrian Flores, JVP, GMA News