Filipino golf hero Miguel Tabuena will take his campaign for a place on the LIV Golf League to its final battleground this week, after narrowly missing out on The International Series Rankings race last year.

By finishing third on the Rankings – only the top two made it through – he earned direct exemption into Round 2 of LIV Golf Promotions. The high-pressure event tees off tomorrow at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club in Florida – where two more LIV Golf League places are on the line.

It is Tabuena’s final route into golf’s elite stage, and one he is approaching with purpose.

“I’m coming into Promotions with a really strong mindset,” Tabuena said. “Missing out in the Rankings race hurt, but it also motivated me. I know what’s at stake, and I know I can compete with anyone in that field. It’s about staying patient, staying focused, and trusting the game that got me here.”

That motivation comes directly from the intensity of the series finale at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, where the 31-year-old came agonisingly close to breaking into the top two. If he had finished two shots better he would have dislodged Japan’s Yosuke Asaji from second place.

Miguel Tabuena with his family after winning the International Series Philippines last year. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Reflecting on the final round, Tabuena admitted he felt on the brink of a breakthrough. A hot start had him firmly in contention, but costly mistakes on the demanding back nine saw him just fall short.

“It stings,” Tabuena admitted. “You work all year for these moments, and I felt like I was right there. I fought until the last hole, and I’m proud of that. That’s golf.”

Despite the disappointment, Tabuena left Saudi Arabia with immense pride. His historic wire-to-wire victory at International Series Philippines in October, in front of home fans, stands as one of the breakthrough moments of the season. Consistent, composed, and fearless, he ultimately closed the year with a career-best finish on the Rankings.

“The season was a highlight of my career,” he said. “Winning in the Philippines… that meant everything. To be in the mix all year for the LIV spots shows how far my game has come.”

He added that the season’s pressure-filled moments have sharpened him for exactly this challenge.

“This year taught me how to handle pressure at the highest level. Promotions will be no different. I’m ready to give everything I have.”

The International Series are 10 upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway on to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings. Zimbabwean Scott Vincent finished first last year for the second time in his career. He also topped the Rankings in 2022 – the inaugural year of LIV Golf.

Few players appreciate the life-changing potential of LIV Golf Promotions quite like Kieran Vincent.

Three years on from emerging as one of the inaugural success stories of the event, the Zimbabwean enters this year’s edition at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club knowing firsthand that one exceptional week can change everything.

Vincent was among the first players to experience the full impact of LIV Golf Promotions in 2023, when a tied-second finish secured him one of three coveted LIV Golf League cards. That breakthrough launched him onto the global stage, earning a place on the Iron Heads GC and opening the next chapter of his career.

Now 28, Vincent arrives in Florida this week carrying a sharper, more battle-tested edge. Following relegation from the LIV Golf League, his 2025 campaign on The International Series, the Asian Tour’s set of elevated events, became both a proving ground and a reset. It was a season defined by resilience, perspective, and one navigated alongside his brother amid one of the most fiercely contested Rankings races in Series history.

“It’s really cool to be back and have the chance to compete at LIV Golf Promotions again,” Vincent said. “Going through the process in 2023 and earning my card was a great experience, and knowing I’ve done it before gives me a lot of belief that it’s possible again. I’m grateful to have that experience behind me, and it’s definitely an honour to be back in the field.”

While the stakes remain familiar, Vincent insists his mindset has evolved. Experience has taught him that at Promotions, opportunity doesn’t always have to be grasped perfectly.

Kieran Vincent (left) made it through LIV Golf Promotions in 2023, along with Kalle Samoooja and Jinchiro Kozuma. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“In terms of preparation, not a lot changes, good golf usually takes care of itself,” he explained. “But one thing I remember telling myself after 2023 was that while you always want to win, a top-three finish can be life-changing. This week is another reminder of that. You don’t often go into a tournament thinking top three is enough, but here it really can open doors — and that’s what makes it so special.”

Competing in The International Series in 2025, Vincent produced a string of solid performances that reflected growth and grit. Highlights included a tied-third finish at the Jakarta International Championship, finishing just behind his brother, along with top-15 results at International Series Macau presented by Wynn and International Series Japan presented by Moutai.

“My season on The International Series was solid,” Vincent said. “There were some good finishes, though of course I would’ve liked it to be a little stronger overall. But I learned a lot about my game, about myself, and about how I handle things both on and off the course. Those lessons will really help propel my career this year and beyond.”

The season-long battle for Rankings positions was among the tightest the Series has seen, with two LIV Golf League cards on offer, a dynamic which Vincent believes raises the standard and the pressure.

“The Rankings race was incredibly tight,” he said. “Whenever there’s a lot on the line, things naturally become more intense. Having two spots available was a great opportunity, and hopefully that continues going forward, because it really rewards consistently good golf. The guys who finished top two played outstanding golf, so full credit to them.”

Adding another layer to Vincent’s motivation is the success of his brother Scott, who secured his own route back to LIV. It is a family journey that has sharpened his focus heading into the week.

“It was really special to see my brother earn his way back,” Vincent said after his brother finished top of the 2025 Rankings.

“He worked incredibly hard and played great golf all season, so it was fully deserved. We’ve spent a lot of time supporting each other, and the idea of being back out there together again would mean a lot. It’s definitely added motivation, but at the end of the day, you still have to go out there and take care of what you can control.”