IN line with the government’s sports tourism campaign, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) will stage the Philippine leg of the 2026 Asian Tour Series next month.
The international tournament will take place at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City from Feb. 5 to 8.
With a total cash purse of $500,000 (P29.6 million), the event is expected to attract the finest players from the Asian Tour, including the top Filipino pros, and will once again put the Philippines on the spotlight.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Administrative Order No. 38, created the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Committee (NST-IAC) last November, and appointed PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio as head.
The NST-IAC was tasked to promote sports tourism in the country. The PSC chairman cited sports tourism as a “vital tool for economic growth, cultural exchange and global recognition.”
Staging an Asian Tour leg in the country is consonant to the government's sports tourism campaign.
Malacañang has already given its stamp of approval on the hosting.
NGAP chairman Al Panlilio said the organization is “very excited to once again partner with the Philippine Sports Commission, one of our premier supporters. Moreover, we are aligned in the plans of chairman Pato Gregorio in elevating Sports for all our Filipino athletes.”
NGAP secretary-general Bones Floro said they are in the process of “finalizing all major arrangements.”
While the tournament proper is set Feb. 5 to 8, a Pro-Am tournament is scheduled on Feb. 4. Practice rounds are set on Feb. 2 and 3.
A full field of 144 players is expected for the Philippine leg led by 97 Asian Tour members, 25 local pros, six national amateurs, and four invites each from the NGAP, Asian Tour, venue host, and sponsors.
The hosting of the Asian Tour leg comes after the successful staging of the International Series Philippines last October, which is also part of the Asian Tour and a pathway to the lucrative LIV Golf.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena ruled the event that attracted major champions Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.
Tabuena, now ranked No. 3 on the Asian Tour, bagged the top prize of $360,000 (P21 million) in the biggest victory of his professional career.
It also comes after the Philippines hosted the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship last September, the Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup-World Surf League Qualifying last October, and the FIG Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and inaugural FIFA World Women’s Futsal Championship last November.
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