Staff WriterInternational Series Philippines is getting the heavyweight field it deserves, with in-form LIV Golf winners Dean Burmester and Marc Leishman confirmed.
International Series Philippines at Sta. Elena Golf Club (23–26 October) will also feature major champions Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, plus home favourite Miguel Tabuena.
Burmester and Leishman arrive with the needle moving
South Africa’s Dean Burmester turns up with proper tailwind after his breakthrough at LIV Golf Miami, where he knocked off Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann in a playoff that had a pulse.
Add a runner-up at LIV Golf Hong Kong, two more top-three finishes, fifth in the season standings, and a shove that helped Stinger GC to third overall—he’s not just trending, he’s contending.
Marc Leishman, the straight-talking Ripper GC stalwart, boards the flight to Manila off a season that delivered both individual and team wins in Miami and five additional top-15s. Form holds up under heat, and October in the Philippines will have plenty of that.
Experience with teeth: Bland, Kozuma, Vincent
Veteran Richard Bland (Cleeks GC) brings steel and receipts. The two-time Senior Major champion posted six LIV top-15s this season, including an eye-catching fifth in Adelaide, and a top-10 at last year’s International Series England.
Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma (Iron Heads GC), who earned his place through the 2023 LIV Golf Promotions, has flashed serious upside with three top-10s this season, capped by a runner-up in Dallas.
Kozuma’s former teammate Scott Vincent arrives hot after a commanding win at International Series Morocco and three further Asian Tour top-10s. Call him exactly what he looks like right now: one to watch.
Asian Tour movers: Boonma and Catlin
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma keeps stacking results—fifth on The International Series Rankings and eighth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit—helped by his runner-up at International Series Morocco. He knows how to travel, and Sta. Elena should suit.
American John Catlin, last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, remains a metronome with bite: back-to-back titles at International Series Macau presented by Wynn and the Saudi Open presented by PIF, plus two playoff near-misses. He’ll fancy the setup and the stakes.
Pathway, dates, and the show around the show
International Series Philippines is the seventh of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour, a straight-shot pathway into the LIV Golf League via the season-long Rankings race. Sta. Elena Golf Club stages the event from 23–26 October, and it won’t be just golf: headline concerts, exclusive hospitality, live music, smart food, and hands-on fan activations will run through tournament week.
If you want in, keep an eye on the tournament’s official channels for ticket details.
