PSC steps up, saves Phl Open

In danger of being scrapped just months before because of a league it was about to partner with suddenly folded up, the 108th playing of the Philippine Open remains a worthy destination for many of the best in the Asian Tour because of a couple of big reasons.

First, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) partnered with the Asian Tour and stepped in and made sure that a hefty purse would be on offer for the 12 to 15 Novermber spectacle at the Masters of Manila Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite as $1 million will be dangled to make it worthwhile for every bidder seeking to win Asia’s oldest national championship.

And then there is the scrapping of an event in Saudi Arabia because of security concerns that made the Philippine Open the final event of the Asian Tour season, which means that players wanting to keep their cards will be scrambling very hard to do so here.

“It was a no-brainer for the PSC to step in and chip in its share,” Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, the vibrant chairman of the government’s sports funding agency, said.

“The Open is the crown jewel of pro golf in the Asian region and there’s no doubt that it is worth saving.”

“And of course, this is another chance for the country to open its doors to various cultures, for them to experience the Philippines in a different way,” Gregorio added.

“This is just another chance for us to show them the best of our country — our players included.”

With the new direction that LIV Golf has taken, the event that was supposed to be an International Series stop is now back as a regular Asian Tour event where Frenchman Julien Sale is the defending champion.