More than 130 golfers will compete in the Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, set to open the 2026 Asian Tour from Feb. 5 to 8 at the East Course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

The tournament will feature former Asian Tour Order of Merit winners John Catlin and Sihwan Kim of the United States, as well as Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, among other international stars. The event carries a total prize purse of $500,000, jointly supported by the Asian Tour and the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).

The Philippine Sports Commission, led by chairman Patrick Gregorio, backs the tournament for the second straight year, positioning the Philippines as a regional golfing hub and host of the season-opening Asian Tour event.

“Hosting the season opener of the Asian Tour for the second straight year reflects the confidence the international sporting community has in the Philippines,” said Gregorio.

Filipino talent on full display

The tournament is also a platform for Filipino golfers to compete against international players. Recent champions of the Asian Development Tour, Aidric Chan and Carl Jano Corpus, will showcase local talent alongside former Philippine Open winners Angelo Que, Clyde Mondilla, and Gerald Rosales, as well as Antonio Lascuna, a five-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner.

Six national amateurs and 16 invited local players will also participate, giving homegrown golfers the chance to measure themselves against some of the best in Asia. NGAP chairman Al Panlilio highlighted the importance of the event, saying it honors the country’s rich golfing heritage while inspiring the next generation of Filipino players.

The field also includes former Asian Tour winners Suteepat Prateeptienchai, Poosit Supupramai, Ekpharit Wu, Rattanonn Wannasrichan, Sadom Kaewkanjana, Jbe Kruger of South Africa, Hongtaek Kim of Korea, and Lee Chieh Po of Chinese Taipei.

International spotlight and sports tourism boost

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lent his approval to the tournament, in line with other international sporting events under the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, which Gregorio chairs. Past projects include the FIVB Men’s World Cup, the Futsal World Cup, the World Junior Gymnastics Championships, international surfing competitions, and the recently concluded WTA 125 Philippine Open.

Asian Tour commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant described the Philippine Golf Championship as the perfect platform to launch the 2026 season. “We started last year strongly in Manila and return with great enthusiasm to begin another season filled with promise and opportunity,” said Cho.

Gregorio added that the event aligns with the PSC’s goal of using major sporting events to elevate Filipino athletes, strengthen the country’s sports tourism, and enhance its global sporting profile.

The tournament is open to the public, giving fans a chance to witness world-class competition on the historic Wack Wack East Course.