Pros brace for punishing Langer course

MANILA, Philippines — While emphasis is on shotmaking and putting, most pros believe it will also be a question of staying power as they gear up for a gruelling duel for top honors in the last of two bubble tournaments in the Philippine Golf Tour restart beginning on Tuesday at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite.

The par-71 Langer course has been spruced up to championship condition in time for the ICTSI Riviera Championship. But unlike in the ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge at Couples three weeks ago, the upcoming 72-hole event promises to be a test of will and character given the layout’s length which measures up to more than 7,000 yards and hazards that come into play in most holes.

There are also the terrors lurking on the sleek putting surface to consider and conquer in all four days of the championship held under strict health and safety protocols in new normal.

“Tony (Lascuña) can be beaten. At Langer, it’s more of a question of endurance since it’s a long course,” said multi-titled Jhonnel Ababa, who struggled with a wrist injury and tied for 19th the first time out, in Filipino.

“But I’m good and I expect to be in the mix this time,” he added.