A SECOND MASTERS BECKONS
MINOZA
(Reprinted with permission from PhilStar) by
Dante Navarro
Manila, Nov. 26, 1998 - Frankie Miñoza
hopes to dish out impressive performances in the last two legs of the rich
Japan PGA Tour next month in a bid to break into the world's top 50 rankings
and earn a slot in the prestigious US Masters.
A new rule that will be implemented effective next US Masters by organizers has given international players like Miñoza a chance to play in the prestigious event, one of the world's four majors outside of the US Open, British Open and the US PGA.
Under the new set-up, only the top 50 players from the World Golf Rankings at the end of the year will gain automatic slots in the Masters as well as the top 50 in the rankings after the Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship, or four weeks before the Masters.
Starting with the 2000 Masters, winning a PGA Tour event will no longer be worth a ticket to the event at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Miñoza is ranked No. 53 in the world two weeks ago but is expected to gain precious points following his joint fourth finish in the Phoenix Open he had led in the third round. He is currently in his hometown in Cagayan for a much-needed rest and also to prepare for the Japan Series on Dec. 3-6 and Daikyo Open on Dec. 10-13, the last two legs of the Japan PGA circuit.
The 38-year-old Filipino shotmaker has enjoyed his finest season so far with one victory in the Kirin Open in Ibaraki last April and nine top 10 finishes.
He is currently No. 6 in the Japan PGA money rankings with earnings of ¥67,477,888 or about P22,065,000.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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