Carlos eyes breakthru at Forest Hills

MANILA, Philippines - Jobim Carlos hopes to rebound from a mediocre showing at Eagle Ridge following a playoff setback at Eastridge, seeking no less than a breakthrough win in the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship beginning tomorrow at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

The rookie pro showed a lot of promise despite bowing to Clyde Mondilla in sudden death at the Manila Masters last month but turned in a so-so finish the following tournament, ending up tied at 26th at the Eagle Ridge Invitational won by Tony Lascuña early this month.

Carlos also failed to make the cut in last week’s Queen’s Cup in Thailand but the former national champion remains upbeat of his chances in the P2 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI the way the rest of the crack international field feels of their respective bids.

“I’m comfortable with the course so I feel like I have a solid chance. I kind of struggled at Queen’s Cup but my game should be going to the right direction,” said Carlos.

That should make the battle for the top P360,000 purse tight and fierce with Carlos tipped to be among the early contenders along with Lascuña, Mondilla, Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Orlan Sumcad, Charles Hong, Cassius Casas and Zanieboy Gialon.

Mars Pucay, who won here when the rolling, challenging layout first hosted a Philippine Golf Tour event in 2010, also hopes to re-display the form he showed in topping the elite field that included Juvic Pagunsan, who, however, pulled out without prior notice in the first round, leading to his suspension.