Angelo Que, Superal Target Titles at Forest Hills

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Angelo Que is chasing a historic third straight win on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) as the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic tees off June 3 at Forest Hills Golf and Country Club.

Fresh off back-to-back victories at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge, the three-time Asian Tour winner is poised to make history as the first player to clinch three PGT titles in a single season.

Despite a lackluster run abroad, where he missed the cut in Macau and failed to advance in events in Thailand and Taiwan, Que is optimistic that familiar terrain will boost his bid.

“I’m excited to be back home,” said Que. “I know this course and I know what it takes to win here. It’s a different kind of challenge, but one I’m ready for.”

The Jack Nicklaus-designed layout in Antipolo, known for its narrow fairways, swirling winds and undulating greens, promises a stern test over four days of competition.

With a P2.5 million prize purse at stake, the 72-hole tournament has attracted a stacked field of veterans, up-and-comers and international challengers.

Veterans Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Clyde Mondilla, Reymon Jaraula and Guido van der Valk are expected to contend, while rising talents like Aidric Chan and Keanu Jahns aim to shake up the leaderboard.

Jahns, who claimed his maiden win at Forest Hills last year, returns with a new motivation.

“I’m back where I won my first title, and now I’ve got my wife and baby with me,” said Jahns. “That’s a lot of inspiration right there.”

The field also features a strong foreign contingent, including Hyun Ho Rho, Tae Soo Kim, Atsushi Ueda and Toru Nakajima, all eager to spoil the locals’ run.

Justin Quiban, a regular on the Asian Tour, adds more firepower to the roster. The 2023 South Pacific champ is looking for another local triumph after earlier wins in Bacolod and on the PGT Asia circuit.

In the women’s division, Princess Superal returns to competition after a two-month LPGT hiatus and a steady campaign in Japan.

The former US Girls’ Junior champion and 2022 Asia Pacific Ladies titlist believes her game is trending upward following a T-27 finish at the Twinfields Step-Up event.

“I feel good about where I’m at with my game. I’ve prepared well and I can see my game is improving, so I’m focused on sticking to my process,” Superal said.

“I’ve been taking good care of my body, so no injuries now,” she added.

Superal will face strong opposition in the P1 million event, led by Mafy Singson, Harmie Constantino and Mikha Fortuna, alongside a lineup of proven winners and ambitious newcomers.

Singson, who recently co-led a China LPGA event with a first-round 65, is one to watch on the tricky Forest Hills layout.

“I’ve learned a lot overseas, and I’m ready to bring that here,” Singson said.

The absence of Pradera Verde winner Sam Bruce, now competing on the Epson Tour, opens the door for a shake-up in the Order of Merit race.

Forest Hills’ undulating fairways and fast greens will reward accuracy, creativity and calm under pressure, factors that could determine who ends the week atop the leaderboard.

The Forest Hills Classic also sets the stage for the second half of the pro golf season before a brief break for the Junior PGT Mindanao leg in Bukidnon.

Both the PGT and LPGT resume July 22 at Valley Golf in Antipolo, where results from this week may shape title chases in the months ahead.