Pucay, Lam, Gallardo, Huerva earn Open spots

Veteran Mars Pucay and James Ryan Lam each fired a three-under-par 69 to top the 18-hole Philippine Open qualifying at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna on Friday.

Also securing spots to the country’s most prestigious tournament are Enrico Gallardo and Joey Huerva who turned in identical 70s.

A separate qualifying tournament for amateurs will take place early next week, with the NGAP-Riviera Am held at the Couples course in Silang. The top four finishers after 72 holes will earn spots in the 23-26 January event at the Masters course.

Shin Suzuki, a member of the champion PH Putra Cup team, and Zeus Sara, the reigning PH Am titlist, are seeded into the main event, alongside 17-year-old prodigy Rianne Malixi, who is the reigning US Women’s Am and US Junior Girls champion and has received a special invite from the NGAP.

The NGAP has also extended an invitation to Yuka Saso, the Filipino-Japanese golfer who holds the US Women’s Open title.