Kuala Lumpur, Oct 5 (IANS): Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines was over the moon after earning a place at the World Cup of Golf to be played at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club next month.

The 42-year-old Filipino squeezed into the elite 60-man field after countryman Juvic Pagunsan declined his chance to compete in the $8 million tournament from Nov 21-24 which will feature an individual and team competition. Lascuna will join 12 other Asians including Angelo Que in representing the Philippines.

"I was very happy when I learnt that I managed to secure a place in the World Cup of Golf. To be able to represent your country in an international event like this is simply fantastic. I’ve played in the World Cup previously (in 2007) with Gerald Rosales but I’m looking forward to a great partnership with Angelo," said Lascuna.

Lascuna enjoyed his career best season on the Asian Tour last year by finishing 12th on the Order of Merit. He has posted four top-20s this season but he benefited immensely from his runner-up finish at the ICSTI Mount Malayarat Classic on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) on home soil in August.

The high finish in ADT saw him earn 3.6 Official World Golf Ranking points which ultimately helped Lascuna qualify for the World Cup.

Asia will be well represented with a total of 13 golfers including Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who are the past and current Asian Tour No.1s, Korea’s K.J. Choi, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, countryman Bae Sang-moon, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri, Liang Wen-chong and Wu Ashun of China, and Siddikur of Bangladesh.

The World Cup of Golf, which will be played under a new format this year, will feature an individual competition offering prize money of $7 million while nations with two qualified players will also be eligible for the team event offering $1 million.