Philippine Golf Championship Unveiled as Asian Tour Season Starter
The Philippine Golf Championship, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, has been officially confirmed as the new name for the season-opening event on the prestigious Asian Tour. This exciting announcement was made on Friday, January 23, 2026, marking a significant milestone for Philippine sports tourism and golf development.
Tournament Details and Venue
The inaugural tournament is scheduled to take place from February 5 to 8, 2026, at the renowned Wack Wack Golf & Country Club. With a substantial prize purse of US$500,000, the event has already secured BingoPlus as an official sponsor, further enhancing its profile and support within the golfing community.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who also serves as Chairman of the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Committee (NST-IAC), emphasized the importance of this event in promoting world-class sports tourism. He stated, "If we can host and organise world-class sports tourism events every month, we will do it—from WTA tennis to the Asian Tour." Gregorio added that such events inspire national pride and motivate Filipino youth to pursue athletic excellence.
Originally named the Philippine President’s Trophy, the tournament is now organized under the NST-IAC's auspices, with Gregorio highlighting golf as an integral part of their strategy. He noted, "Golf is an integral part of this strategy, and we are happy to collaborate with the National Golf Association of the Philippines." This collaboration aims to showcase Philippine culture and spirit to international athletes who visit for competition.
Star-Studded Player Lineup
The tournament will feature an impressive roster of top golfers from across Asia and beyond. Leading the charge is Miguel Tabuena, the standard-bearer for Philippine golf, who has confirmed his participation following a stellar 2025 season. Other notable entrants include:
- John Catlin (USA), the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion
- Sihwan Kim (USA) and Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand), both former number ones
- Taichi Kho (Hong Kong), the current Hong Kong number one
- Lee Chieh-po (Chinese-Taipei), a top ace from the region
Additional champions from the past year will compete, such as Thailand's Suteepat Prateeptienchai, a four-time Asian Tour winner, along with other recent victors including Sadom Kaewkanjana, Rattanon Wannasrichan, Poosit Supupramai, and Ekpharit Wu from Thailand, and Germany's Dominic Foos. The field is further deepened by last year's Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion Tawit Polthai from Thailand and Qualifying School winner Lin Yuxin from China, with nearly all 35 graduates from the School entering the competition.
Background and Impact
Miguel Tabuena's participation adds significant local interest, as he won last year's International Series Philippines and finished third on both the Asian Tour Merit list and The International Series Rankings. This event not only boosts the profile of Philippine golf but also aligns with broader efforts to position the country as a premier destination for international sports tourism, fostering economic and cultural benefits.
