Philippines set to host golf giants in landmark International Series event

MANILA, Philippines, August 25 ------ The Philippine golf scene is poised for a seismic shift as it welcomes its biggest professional tournament yet — the International Series Philippines — from October 23-26 at the exclusive Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The prestigious $2-million championship isn’t just another event on the calendar; it's a game-changer. For the first time, Filipino golf fans will witness a stellar cast of former major champions — Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen — compete on home soil, an unprecedented lineup that dwarfs both previous professional and amateur golf tournaments held in the country. While the Philippines has previously hosted Asian Tour legs, the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC), and even the 1977 World Cup of Golf and the 1995 Johnnie Walker Classic, none of those events have come close to matching the star power, prize purse or global implications of The International Series. This tournament is not just a spectacle; it’s a direct pathway to the LIV Golf League, one of the sport’s most elite and disruptive professional circuits.

The International Series Philippines, presented by BingoPlus, marks the seventh of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that directly feed into LIV Golf’s season-long rankings. This makes the upcoming tournament not only a showcase of top-tier talent but also a crucial battleground for those seeking promotion to golf’s most lucrative league. Watson, a two-time Masters winner and captain of LIV's RangeGoats GC, arrives in hot form with three top 10 finishes this season, including a runner-up spot at LIV Golf UK. "This will be my first time playing in the Philippines and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Watson. “Golf is global so getting to be involved when it is reaching new places is cool to see. Meeting fans that are new to golf, and excited about it, is always inspiring to me. I really hope we can spark something special here and maybe even inspire the next generation of golfers.”

Reed, a Ryder Cup icon and 2018 Masters champion, has already won on the LIV Golf circuit this year and is the defending champion at the Hong Kong Open, taking place the week after the Sta. Elena showdown. “The International Series has given me an incredible opportunity to travel and immerse myself in new cultures around the world. It has also allowed me to compete against players from across Asia, who continue to raise their game through the experience gained at these high-profile events,” said Reed. “I’m looking forward to playing in front of a new audience of golf and sports fans in the Philippines.”

Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, brings momentum from a top 10 finish in Morocco and strong LIV Golf showings, including a runner-up in Miami. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, has two top five LIV Golf finishes this season and impressive past results in other International Series stops. Adding local flair is Miguel Tabuena, the Philippines’ top-ranked golfer and a multiple Asian Tour winner. Tabuena, who finished second on the 2023 Asian Tour Order of Merit and seventh in 2024, will lead the local charge and hopes to inspire a new generation of Filipino golfers. “It’s an honor to represent my country at the first-ever International Series event here,” said Tabuena. “I know how much this tournament can do for golf in the Philippines, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Beyond the fairways, the event promises a festival atmosphere. Fans can look forward to live concerts, gourmet dining, exclusive hospitality, and immersive fan experiences that make the week a celebration of sport, culture and entertainment. According to Rahul Singh, head of The International Series, the event signals a new era for the game in the Philippines. “We’re not only delivering a world-class field, but we’re also laying the foundation for long-term growth of the game here. With major champions like Bubba, Patrick, Louis and Charl competing alongside local heroes like Miguel, fans are in for a truly special week of golf,” said Singh.

This October’s International Series isn’t just another tournament — it’s a bold statement that the Philippines is ready to take its place on golf’s global stage. It sets a new benchmark for local events and raises the curtain on what could be a transformative era for sport in the country.

Source: philstar.com