MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Open is back on the Asian Tour calendar next month with the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) as title sponsor of the region’s oldest national golf championship at Wack Wack.
Mardan Mamat of Singapore will defend the title he won by five shots in 2012 as he banners a slew of international stars expected to tackle the tough East course in Mandaluyong from May 15 to 18.
Ricky Razon, the sport’s biggest patron in the country who is also the chair and president of ICTSI, formalized his firm’s sponsorship of the $300,000 event with the Asian Tour and the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
“ICTSI remains committed toward the development of professional golf in the Philippines, as seen through our active involvement with the domestic golf tour, and also across the region, and we hope the ICTSI Philippine Open will inspire our local players to excel and win our national Open,” he said.
“The NGAP is looking forward to the staging of the 97th Philippine Open and we would like to express our gratitude to ICTSI for its sponsorship of our championship,” said Tommy Manotoc, president of the NGAP.
Asian Tour chair Kyi Hla Han welcomed the return of the ICTSI Philippine Open, saying Asia’s oldest national championship remains one of the region’s most sough-after titles.
The Open, which was supposed to be held last December, was scrapped with the funds channeled to the relief efforts for victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Musong R. Castillo