Staff WriterThe International Series Philippines is shaping up for a thrilling finale at Sta. Elena Golf Club, where local favourite Miguel Tabuena, China’s Sampson Zheng, and Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut are locked in a tense scrap for the top spot.
But two seasoned LIV Golf campaigners — Marc Leishman and Dean Burmester — are quietly plotting an ambush from just behind the leaders.
Ripper GC’s Leishman fired a blistering seven-under-par 65 on moving day to reach 12 under overall, while Stinger GC’s Burmester matched that number to climb to 14 under — three shots adrift of the leaders but still very much in the hunt. Both men have the experience and firepower to turn the leaderboard upside down on Sunday.
Leishman, the Australian known for his calm demeanour and low-flying approach shots, tees off at 10:23 alongside India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan. He knows another red-hot round is essential if he’s to have any hope of catching the leaders.
“There’s one out there, but whether I have it or not, who knows? But it does depend how far ahead the leaders get. Hopefully I can shoot another seven under or better and at least give them a bit of a run,” said Leishman, ever the realist.
The LIV Golf Miami champion has made no secret of his affection for Sta. Elena’s layout.
“I love the golf course. The layout is fantastic. The greens are rolling really nice. And it is ‘risk reward’ — there are a few holes that you can take on if you want,” he explained. “Like hole 11 for example, you can take it over the water there on the left. On eight, you can take on as much of that to try and get a short iron into a par five. But if you miss it, it is very penalising. So, yeah, I really enjoy the golf course.”
Burmester, meanwhile, is taking aim from the penultimate group at 10:34 alongside Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Yosuke Asaji. The LIV Golf Chicago winner admitted he had to grind through a mixed day with the irons but survived thanks to a red-hot putter.
“Seven under 65 — eight birdies, one bogey, I guess I am still trying to find my golf swing,” Burmester said. “I had it day one, and then yesterday I did not have it at all. But I ground it out and shot the two under. Then today, honestly, I hit the ball as bad as I’ve hit it in a long time front nine.
“I putted really well, and that kept me in the game. You know, to shoot under par in the front nine, from the places I was, was something else. The putter kept me in the game. I think it was 25 putts. I hit enough greens in the back nine and rolled in some putts. So that gave me that amazing score. It was not pretty. So I’m looking to improve on that.
“We will have to see how it goes. If the wind comes up the course can play tricky. There are some great holes where you’ve got to hit some really good tee shots. Luckily, so far I’ve done that on those holes, so that’s kept me out of trouble.”
The International Series Philippines is the sixth of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar this year, each serving as a springboard toward LIV Golf through a season-long ranking race. It’s the first stop in a three-week Asian swing that rolls on to the Link Hong Kong Open and Moutai Singapore Open.
Events have already taken place in India, Macau, Japan, Morocco, and Jakarta, with the season culminating at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisors from 19-22 November.
The player topping the International Series Rankings will earn a coveted spot in LIV Golf next season — a prize that’s beginning to look more enticing by the day.
For now, though, all eyes are on Sta. Elena, where Tabuena carries a nation’s hopes, and two LIV Golf veterans are lurking in the tall grass, ready to pounce.
