Staff WriterThe International Series Philippines is making its long-awaited debut this October, and Manila won’t know what hit it.
Four Major champions—Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen—will descend on Sta. Elena Golf Club from 23–26 October, dragging with them not just their trophies but also the promise of fireworks on and off the fairways.
This is no ordinary golf tournament. It’s the International Series arriving in the Philippines for the very first time, serving up world-class golf alongside concerts, live music, gourmet dining, and fan experiences that might just make you forget a golf ball is involved at all.
Bubba’s first swing in the Philippines
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is bringing his mercurial left-handed magic to Manila. The RangeGoats GC captain has found form again this year, with a T14 finish at Augusta and three top-10s in the LIV Golf League, including a runner-up in the UK.
“This will be my first time playing in the Philippines and I’m really looking forward to it,” Watson said. “Golf is global so getting to be involved when it is reaching new places is really cool to see.
Meeting fans that are new to golf, and excited about it, is always inspiring to me. I really hope we can spark something special here and maybe even inspire the next generation of golfers.”
Given he made a hole-in-one on his International Series debut last year in Indonesia, don’t be surprised if he adds another Manila memory to his collection.
Reed ready to defend, and annoy a few along the way
Patrick Reed arrives in Manila carrying both form and attitude, fresh off his first LIV Golf win in Dallas and still basking in the glow of being defending champion at the Link Hong Kong Open.
The 2018 Masters winner also booked his spot at The Open at Royal Portrush thanks to a runner-up finish in Macau earlier this season.
“The International Series has given me an incredible opportunity to travel and immerse myself in new cultures around the world,” Reed said. “It has also allowed me to compete against players from across Asia, who continue to raise their game through the experience gained at these high-profile events. I’m looking forward to playing in front of a new audience of golf and sports fans in the Philippines.”
Reed never does things quietly. Expect him to arrive in Manila with his game—and his opinions—fully charged.
Schwartzel, Oosthuizen and a Filipino hopeful
South Africa is sending a double-barrelled blast in the form of Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champ, has quietly pieced together five top-15 finishes in LIV events this year, including a runner-up in Miami.
Oosthuizen, meanwhile, has been busier than a barber in a head lice outbreak: two LIV top-fives this season, plus runner-up and third-place International Series finishes in Oman and Qatar last year.
But if the home crowd has its way, all eyes will be on Miguel Tabuena. The top-ranked Filipino golfer on the Asian Tour and former runner-up in the Order of Merit, Tabuena is carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
“It’s an honour to represent my country at the first-ever International Series event here,” Tabuena said. “I am very excited that the International Series is coming to Manila. I know how much this tournament can do for golf in the Philippines, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
More than just golf
The International Series Philippines, presented by BingoPlus, is more than just another stop on the Asian Tour calendar. It’s the seventh of ten elevated events feeding into the LIV Golf League, offering players not only big cheques but also a golden pathway to golf’s most disruptive league.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, summed it up: “Bringing The International Series to the Philippines is a moment of great pride. We’re not only delivering a world-class field, but we’re also laying the foundation for long-term growth of the game here. With major champions like Bubba, Patrick, Louis, and Charl competing alongside local heroes like Miguel, fans are in for a truly special week of golf.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, 22 August at 10am via this link. If you’ve ever wanted to see a golf ball whistling through Manila’s humid October air while being serenaded by live music and gourmet food trucks, this is your chance.
