Sihwan, Jazz banner foreign cast

Former Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) winners Sihwan Kim of the United States and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond lead the formidable foreign charge in the $500,000 (around P29 million) revival of the Philippine Open, which tees off in a week at Manila Southwoods’ Masters layout.

Both Kim and Janewattananond have won the OOM during their careers and are among the favorites in the 72-hole championship.

They are joined by bright Filipino talents Miguel Tabuena and former champion Angelo Que as Asia’s oldest national championship makes its comeback after a five-year hiatus, beginning Thursday next week.

Tabuena, who finished seventh in last year’s OOM after competing in 19 events, is in fine form.

His most recent victory came at the Delhi Golf Club in India in 2023, when he overcame a six-shot deficit in the final round to win with a seven-under-par 65, edging out hometown favorite Rashid Khan by one shot.

Janewattananond, who was ranked 38th in the world during his standout 2020 season, has been a frequent visitor to the Philippines since turning pro at just 15 years old in 2010.

The Thai star has accumulated 11 Asian Tour victories — tied for ninth most all-time — and has also played on the PGA Tour, the European Tour, and Japan’s lucrative golf circuit.

He has competed in all four majors, with his best finish being a tie for 14th at the 2019 PGA Championship.

“It’s going to be a wide-open Open,” said Que, the 2008 champion at Wack Wack, with a smile.

“A lot of great players are coming over, and many of them will have legitimate chances to win.”

Kim, who claimed two victories during the 2022 season en route to his OOM title, also joined the LIV Golf League that year.

He played through the end of 2023 but did not secure a spot on a team for the 2024 season.

Que, meanwhile, has been preparing intensely to give himself the best chance of securing a second Philippine Open title.

“It’s going to be a tough tournament, especially if the winds blow,” the 46-year-old said.

“If it’s windy during Open week, we could see a 15-under score winning. If it’s calm, it could go as low as 20-under or even more.”

In the meantime, the host club completed its 18-hole qualifying tournament on Sunday, with former junior world champion Kristoffer Arevalo, Leandro Bagtas and Gab Manotoc advancing to the main draw.

The 24-player field played the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout as a par-70 for the first time, with holes 4 and 15 playing as long par-4s. Many players, including Arevalo, who carded a 66, used a 3-wood for their second shot at No. 4.