In danger of being scrapped just months ago after a league it was about to partner with suddenly folded, the 108th Philippine Open remains a worthy destination for many of the best players on the Asian Tour for two major reasons.
First, the Philippine Sports Commission partnered with the Asian Tour and stepped in to ensure that a substantial prize purse would be on offer for the Nov. 12-15 tournament at the Masters of Manila Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite. A total of $1 million will be at stake, making Asia’s oldest national championship a worthwhile stop for players seeking to claim the prestigious title.
The second factor is the cancellation of an event in Saudi Arabia due to security concerns, which has made the Philippine Open the final tournament of the Asian Tour season. As a result, players looking to retain their tour cards will be scrambling to secure their status in the season-ending event.
“It was a no-brainer for the PSC to step in and chip in its share,” Pato Gregorio, the vibrant chair of the government’s sports funding agency, said. “The Open is the crown jewel of pro golf in the Asian region and there’s no doubt that it is worth saving.
“And of course, this is another chance for the country to open its doors to various cultures, for them to experience the Philippines in a different way,” Gregorio added.
“This is just another chance for us to show them the best of our country–our players included.”
With LIV Golf taking a new direction, the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be an International Series stop, has returned to the Asian Tour’s regular calendar. Frenchman Julien Sale is the defending champion.
The collapse of LIV 1.0 threw the plans of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and the Asian Tour into disarray in August, forcing the two organizations to scramble to put together a respectable prize purse.
Southwoods, meanwhile, remained committed to hosting the tournament and continued reinvigorating its Jack Nicklaus-designed course despite the uncertainty, while the NGAP explored other avenues with the Asian Tour to keep the event afloat.
The breakthrough came with Gregorio’s confirmation of the PSC’s support. The move reflects his desire to give local professionals every opportunity to win the prestigious championship while advancing the country’s tourism prospects.
“It’s a two-for-one thing for the PSC,” Gregorio said. “There’s no greater objective than helping our Filipino pros, while at the same time the doors of our country are open for the world to see.”
