CARMONA, Cavite Philippines — For a pro golfer, nothing beats the feeling of hoisting his country’s National Open against an international field in
front of “kababayans” and loved ones.
This essentially will serve as the driving force for 39 Filipino bets as they vie for honors in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open – newly-revived and reintegrated into the Asian Tour – for the next four days at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.
“It’s nice to have the Asian Tour here this week, it’s nice to be playing at home. Hopefully we can keep the Philippine Open with Filipinohands,” Pinoy star Miguel Tabuena said on the eve of the $500,000 event, which marks the Open’s first staging since 2019 as well as its return to the Tour after a decade-long absence. Tabuena is gunning for a third crown after prior triumphs in 2015 – the last time the tourney was played as part of the Continental circuit and 2018.
“Like any other event that I play, I want to win and hopefully, I can win for the third time,” he said.
The 30-year-old leads the local charge that includes former winners Angelo Que (2008) and Gerald Rosales (2000), Justin delos Santos, Tony Lascuna and top female amateur Rianne Malixi against crack foreign bets headlined by former champion Steve Lewton, LIV Golf star Chase Koepka and Tour Order of Merit champions Sihwan Kim, Jazz Janewattananond and Liang Wenchong.
“I’m going against guys who are half my age so I’m going to take it easy,” said 46-year-old Que ahead of his “homecoming.”
With the hazard-laden 7,138-yard Masters course reimagined into a challenging par-70 layout, precision and composure would be key.