Philippine Open to be seen in 200 countries

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest national championship, goes truly international next year when all four rounds of its 96th staging will be beamed in about 850 million homes in 200 countries.

Serving as the probable second leg of the 2012 Asian Tour, the ICTSI-backed Open is also expected to draw some of the biggest names in the circuit led by American defending champion Berry Henson.

And for the 52nd time in Open history, it will be played at the age-old Wack Wack East with a prize pot of $300,000.

Jay Bayron, who finished second by a stroke to Henson, will lead the local charge, possibly along with Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan and two-time champion Frankie Miñoza.

Teen golf phenom Miguel Tabuena. Photo from migueltabuena.com

The tournament was launched Tuesday at the exclusive club in Mandaluyong with Bayron, Miguel Tabuena, Asian Tour executive Michael Bengtsson, National Golf Association of the Philippines president Leandro Mendoza, Wack Wack president Philip Ella Juico, ICTSI executive Nana Soriano, national team chair Tommy Manotoc and NGAP secretary general Jun Arceo gracing the affair.

“We still do not know who is coming,” Bengson said when asked who among the Asian Tour regulars are expected to play. “But we are hoping that players from more than the 37 countries represented last year [will be competing].”

Henson won with a five-under total.

Scoring for the event, tentatively slated Feb. 9 to 12, is not expected to be low considering how tough the course is, according to Wack Wack general manager Jeric Hechanova.