Confident Ramos eyes ICTSI South Pacific glory
RUPERT Zaragosa (second from left) marks his return to the PGT throne with a one-stroke victory in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship. With him are (from left) Pueblo de Oro vice chairman Chrysler Acebu, ICTSI Media Relations head Ronnel Javier, and Pueblo de Oro’s Junior Golf chairman Chippy Lazo.
Photograph courtesy of ICTSI
One international breakthrough has given Sean Ramos renewed belief — and the confidence that he can turn his resurgence into another title run on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT).
Coming off a victory on the Asian Development Tour in Egypt last month that secured his return to the Asian Tour in 2027, Ramos brings a sharper game, valuable international experience and a growing sense of maturity to the ICTSI South Pacific Championship, which gets under way Tuesday in Davao City.
His commitment adds further firepower to the already formidable field in the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., with the 22-year-old rising star eager to translate his overseas success into another triumph on home soil.
Ramos burst onto the PGT scene as a 20-year-old upstart in 2024, stunning established campaigners Reymon Jaraula and Tony Lascuña to capture his breakthrough victory at Lakewood. But a follow-up title proved elusive, and he went winless in 2025 — a frustrating stretch that nevertheless fueled his determination to sharpen his game and raise his level.
His ascent to the Asian Tour in 2024 marked another major milestone, but his first season on the region’s premier circuit ended with the loss of his playing card. Rather than allow the setback to derail his ambitions, Ramos regrouped and returned to the ADT, the Asian Tour’s developmental circuit, determined to earn another shot among the region’s elite.
He did more than just reclaim his place. A victory in the first of two ADT legs in Egypt helped propel him to No. 3 in the season-ending Order of Merit standings, earning him back his Asian Tour card and underscoring the progress he has made in his game.
Ramos has continued to show that form at this week’s Macau Open, where he was in contention for a top 10 finish at presstime.
He has competed in only two PGT events this year, including a tie for sixth in the opening leg at Lakewood — the same venue where he claimed his first professional victory. Now armed with renewed confidence and the benefit of testing himself against stronger international fields, he looms as one of the players to watch in Davao.
Standing in his way is a deep roster of proven winners and emerging contenders, led by reigning Order of Merit champion Angelo Que, a two-leg winner this season, and the defending South Pacific champion.
The elite cast also includes Clyde Mondilla, Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa, who triumphed at Pueblo de Oro last week, Zanieboy Gialon, Guido van der Valk and Jaraula and local ace Jhonnel Ababa. They will be challenged by Russel Bautista, Dino Villanueva, Michael Bibat, Elee Bisera, Marvin Dumandan and Negros Occidental champion Art Arbole.