Philippine Masters returns as Euro Tour stop

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine golf got a big boost as the Philippine Masters, one of the country’s four golfing majors in the 90s, makes a comeback in 2018, but not on the local circuit but on the European Tour and Asian Tour calendar.

The Phl Masters revival will be promoted by Salvador Zamora’s Tranzen Group, which recently signed a three-year deal with the Euro Tour and Asian Tour for 2018-20.

The event will mark the European Tour’s first visit to the Philippines since 1995, when American Fred Couples won the Johnnie Walker Classic at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

It follows the announcement of the Strategic Alliance between the European Tour and Asian Tour last July, which officially ratified a partnership which had developed and grown since 1999, when the two tours co-sanctioned their first event, the Malaysian Open.

“The Philippine Masters further increases the playing opportunities for our members, and strengthens our Strategic Alliance with the Asian Tour,” said Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour.

The Phl Masters hopes to draw the top players from the European and Asian Tours, including Swede Henrik Stenson, Danny Willet of England and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, along with Aussies Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser and India’s Anirban Lahiri and local aces Miguel Tabuena, Angelo Que, Tony Lascuña and Juvic Pagunsan. 

“Salvador Zamora’s vision and support have been instrumental in bringing this new tournament to fruition, so we thank Mr. Zamora for his interest and his desire to bring the European Tour back to the Philippines. We look forward to working together to grow this tournament in the coming years,” he added. 

Josh Burack, chief executive officer of the Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour is delighted to welcome the Philippine Masters in our schedule in early 2018.