After a 17-year absence, the Philippine Masters returns to the local golfing scene as a leg of the Philippine Golf Tour on May 24 to 27 at the Villamor Air Base layout, its home since 1975, with a P2-million prize pot.
Cassius Casas, who won the Masters the last time it was played in 2000, as well former champions Frankie Miñoza and Robert Pactolerin, have signed up in the chase for the P360,000 top purse.
Tour aces Miguel Tabuena and Antonio Lascuña will also see action in the event formally launched on Monday by PGT and Villamor officials, led by Air Force vice commander and VABGC chair Maj. Gen. Conrado Parra, general manager Col. Oscar Calingasan (ret.), tour director Nana Soriano, tour GM Colo Ventosa and tournament director Luigi Tabuena.
“It’s very significant that the Masters is making its comeback to its original home,” Calingasan said.
The PGT has invited pros from Japan and South Korea to vie in the 72-hole championship, whose play dates will not be in conflict with the Asian Tour.
“It was a crusade to bring it back to our golf course,” said Parra. “Now the comeback of the Masters is within our grasp.”
There’s little doubt that Villamor will hold its own against the field with its tree-lined roughs to punish errant shots.
“You have to be very accurate, especially off the tees, or the trees will come into play and put double or even triple bogeys in the equation,” said Pactolerin.