Defending Philippine Open champion Frankie Miñoza struggled in the first round of Asia’s oldest golf tournament on Thursday, firing only one birdie and a double bogey to end up in tie 73 with 4-over-par 76.

Miñoza, who was hounded by a strong field that includes local stars Artemio Murakami, Juvic Pagunsan, Gerald Rosales, and Angelo Que, fired a double bogey on the eight hole at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club where he was thought to have mastered every inch of the grass and befriended the winds.

The 48-year-old joined several other Filipino golfers who went down the expected cut in the tournament currently dominated by first round leader Kodai Ichihara of Japan, who ended the first day with 6-under-par 66.

MiÑoza earlier hoped a new putter will help him rekindle his magic ahead of his title defence of the Philippine Open which started last Thursday.
 
Minoza, one of Asia’s leading lights with 16 career titles spanning over three decades, is aiming to successfully defend a title for the first time but knows he needs to show improved form at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
 
The 48-year-old has missed three out of four cuts on the Asian Tour this season but he has put in a new putter in his bag this week in hope of turning his fortunes around.