CARMONA, Cavite -- The Masters layout of the posh Manila Southwoods complex here is coming close to achieving the tough character that will challenge some of the best in the Asian Tour when the $500,000 (around P29 million) Smart Infinity Philippine Open gets off the ground on Thursday, Jan. 23.

The roughs have grown to its desired height of at least three inches, the greens are rolling a lot faster because of the weather, and with the pins to be placed on tricky spots, the demands are real for whoever wants to win the revival of Asia's oldest national championship.

Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que and Japan Tour regular Justin delos Santos will be spearheading the local charge in the 72-hole championship, the kickoff leg of the new Asian Tour season, with the trio expressing utmost determination to win.

The 30-year-old Tabuena has been at Southwoods everyday since last week and playing the Jack Nicklaus masterpiece with a new caddy in Kenneth Quillinan even as Que, the 2008 champion at Wack Wack, believes that it will all boil down to a putting battle on Open week.

Delos Santos, meanwhile, planed in on Saturday and sampled the layout for the first time Sunday. "Just happy to be here. This is certainly a special tournament."

"It's important that your putting is at its sharpest next week," Que said. "Because if the winds blow, it will be difficult to put your approaches where you want them. So putting will be key, especially if you putt from the wrong spots."

The greens will be made to roll at a speed of around 12 on the Stimpmeter, according to Southwoods assistant general manager Jerome Delariarte, who is working closely with the Asian Tour in setting up the course that will play as a par-70 for the first time.

"It would make for a very difficult putting day," added Delariarte, a champion ex-pro who pointed out to the heat and the winds as elements that will help dry out the greens from the mid-morning flights on. 

Incidentally, Southwoods has also announced that it will open its doors to the watching public free of charge as the club is hoping for the Filipino fans to come out and see topnotch action while at the same time cheer on home bets.

"That's the least that the club can do for the local golfing community," Delariarte said.