RWM Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly said that aside from the attractive prize pot, the full-field Asian Tour tournament will have multi-pronged objectives to benefit local golfers, since part of its vision is to boost the development of professional golf in the country and Asia, creating opportunities for Filipino golfers to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, and promoting the Philippines as a golfing haven and top-class tourist destination.
This means that Filipino golfers, who will do well in the tournament can move up in the world rankings and be among the Top 60 golfers who will see action in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Expected to banner the Philippine side are 3-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuna, Juvic Pagunsan, Miguel Tabuena and Elmer Salvador, who will test their skills and familiarity of the course against Asia’s no. 1 player Anirban Lahiri of India, 2013 winner Liang Wen-Chong of China,
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, and Byeong Hun An of South Korea, among others.
“We are delighted to maintain our role as title sponsor of the most lucrative golf tournament in the Philippines,” said Reilly. “The tournament has been very successful in the first two editions and we look forward to further leveraging Resorts World Manila and the Philippines onto the global map through live television broadcasts which have the potential to reach 625 million homes in 180 countries.”
Asked on the possibility of Fil-Australian Jason Day coming to Manila to play professional golf, Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr said he is hopeful that Day will have the time to join its event in the future.
“Actually, we have spoken to Jason about that. We know of his Filipino heritage and we will continue to ask Jason on that possibility,” Kerr said.
Day recently won the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, which prevented Jordan Spieth from winning a third major championship.
With the win, Day moved up to no. 3 in the world behind Roy McIlroy (no. 2) and Spieth (no. 1)
Bob Sobrepena, chairman of Manila Southwoods, said the club will ensure its championship course will be at its best condition when Asia’s finest golfers return for the Resorts World Manila Masters.
“We are privileged and honored to be the host venue once again for what is now the Philippines’ richest golf tournament on the Asian Tour,” Sobrepena said. “Our club management and course superintendent, John Cope, have done a fantastic job over the past two years to ensure our Masters course is in prime condition for the event that we’ve witnessed some wonderful scoring by the stars from the Asian Tour.”
Among the partners for the Resorts World Manila Masters are Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Marriott Hotel, Scientific Game, Aristocrat, IGT Asia Pte Ldt. Konami, RGD LTD, and Net Pacific, Inc.
