PH Golf Championship takes pride of place as Asian Tour opener

February 3 ------ THE stage is set as more than 130 players vie for the Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission to start the Asian Tour season on Feb. 5 to 8 at the East Course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

Among the top golfers expected to see action are former Order of Merit (OOM) winners John Catlin and Sihwan Kim of the US as well as Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand in the event offering a total purse of $500,000 from the Asian Tour and the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).

Backed by the PSC under chairman Patrick Gregorio, the tournament marks the second straight year that the country will host the season-opening event of the Asian Tour. “The Philippine Golf Championship aligns perfectly with our vision of using major events to inspire excellence, elevate Filipino athletes and strengthen the country’s sports tourism and global sporting profile,” said Gregorio.

No less than the President Marcos Jr. gave his stamp of approval to this tournament, similar to projects of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, which Gregorio incidentally chairs. These include the FIVB Men’s World Cup, the Futsal World Cup, the World Junior Gymnastics Championships, a premier international surfing classic and the just concluded WTA 125 Philippine Open.

Just like the previous international sporting events, the Philippine Golf Championship provides high quality competition for Filipino golfers. “The Filipino golfers can compete against the world’s best,” said Gregorio.

The NGAP is thrilled to see upcoming Filipino players like Aidric Chan and Carl Jano Corpus, who both captured titles on the Asian Development Tour last season, gain invaluable experience playing against some of Asia's best at home. “Working closely with the Asian Tour, we’re proud to showcase our players, our courses, and our capability to stage world-class events,” said NGAP chairman Al Panlilio. “This tournament not only honors our rich golfing heritage but also inspires the next generation of Filipino golfers.”

The event will also feature former Asian Tour winners Suteepat Prateeptienchai, Poosit Supupramai, Ekpharit Wu, Rattanonn Wannasrichan and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand, Jbe Kruger of South Africa, Hongtaek Kim of Korea and Lee Chieh Po of Chinese Taipei.

Among the 25 Filipino professionals expected to participate are former Philippine Open champions Angelo Que, Clyde Mondilla and Gerald Rosales, as well as Antonio Lascuna, a five-time Philippine Golf Tour OOM winner. They will be joined by 16 invited local players, and six national amateurs. The tournament is open to the general public and welcomes spectators.

Asian Tour commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant said the tournament would once again provide the perfect platform to launch the season. “As we close in on being able to announce our full schedule for this year, the Asian Tour is absolutely delighted to confirm that the Philippine Golf Championship will raise the curtain on our 2026 season,” said Cho.

Source: spin.ph