Link Hong Kong Open: Major day for McKibbin after record victory
Tom McKibbin’s first-ever start on the Asian Tour will be remembered for a long time after he won the US$2million Link Hong Kong Open today – at the prestigious Hong Kong Golf Club.
A final-round seven-under-par 63 saw the Northern Irishman complete a stunning start-to-finish victory in the celebrated tournament, with a four-round aggregate of 27-under 253.
American Peter Uihlein was his nearest challenger. Uihlein closed with a 68 to finish seven behind, while Tomoyo Ikemura (65) from Japan, South African Louis Oosthuizen (67) and America’s MJ Maguire (70) tied for third, a shot further back in the seventh of nine events on The International Series, the set of LIV Golf-backed tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar.
McKibbin’s performance saw him break the tournament’s 72-hole low scoring total and match its biggest margin of victory, while it also earned him a place in The Open and Masters Tournament next year.
Tom McKibbin.
“Yeah, it was obviously amazing,” said the 22-year-old after his second victory as a professional.
“I played some of the best golf I have probably ever played. So, yeah, to have that sort of golf and to shoot those scores around here is pretty special.”
The LIV Golf star, who plays for Jon Ram’s Legion XIII team, had a one-shot lead over Maguire at the start of the day and after holding off the chasing pack on the front nine – going out in three under with birdies on one, three and eight – he pulled away on the second half with birdies on 10, 11, 13, 14, and 16.
A bogey on the last was only his third of the week.
He added: “It means a lot. I mean, with a tournament with so much history behind it, and you know, great players that have won this tournament, to have the scoring record is pretty special, and something that will definitely live with me forever.”
The previous lowest 72 total was 22-under – held by José María Olazábal (2002), Ian Poulter (2010), and Patrick Reed (2024) – while both Bernhard Langer and Bill Brask won by seven in 1991 and 1984 respectively.
Peter Uihlein.
It was a timely victory by the young Northern Irishman as this year marked the first time that Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A have invited the winner to their Majors.
It will mark his debut in the Masters Tournament and third appearance in The Open.
“Very excited to go back and play my third Open, it will be very, very cool. And to have that drive down Magnolia Lane for the first time ever, it will be even more special. You know, I think sort of historic tournaments like this deserve those spots, and yeah, it’s great to sort of take advantage of those.”
A calamitous quadruple bogey eight on the par-four 14th put fellow LIV Golf star Uihlein out of the running, but he did well to finish runner-up.
He said: “It was a bit of a mixed bag today – had a tough quad out there. Actually, I had both a quadruple and a triple bogey this week. So, to still finish second despite that, I’ll take it.
“I love the course, love the event, and I love coming here, for LIV. It is honestly one of my favourite stops of the year. I will definitely keep coming back as long as I am playing.”
As for McKibbin, he said: “Unreal. He played unbelievably well. There is really nothing more to say – shooting seven-under on a Sunday is incredible. I think he missed just one green, and even then he made par. He was so efficient and composed. Super impressive. That was awesome to watch.”
MJ Maguire.
The Asian Tour and The International Series head to the Moutai Singapore Open next week.
Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Overnight leader Tom McKibbin [main picture] kept his hopes of a wire-to-wire victory alive at the Link Hong Kong Open but the Northern Irishman is being pushed all the way with the American duo of MJ Maguire and Peter Uihlein breathing down his neck at the top of a busy leaderboard going into the final round at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
McKibbin had started the day with a two-shot lead over Uihlein after following up his course-record 60 with a five-under 65, his second consecutive bogey-free round.
A second round of 65 on the spin kept the Legion XIII man in front on 20-under, after Maguire had roared into life with a nine-under 61 to move to 19-under. Two late bogeys from playing partner Uihlein (65) left the Range Goats GC man a shot further behind on 18-under.
MJ Maguire of the USA
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat (66), starting in the final group with McKibbin and Uihlein, is three behind in T4 alongside Scott Hend after the veteran Australian – a champion here in 2014 – rolled back the years with a six-under 64.
LIV players Charles Howell III of America and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa are T6 on 16- under, following four-under rounds of 66, with U.S. star Charles Porter on 15-under alongside Korean-American Micah Shin (66) and Poom Saksansin of Thailand (65) after putting together an impressive seven-under round of 63.
McKibbin’s bogey-free run ended abruptly with a dropped shot on three, although he was back in credit after bouncing back with two straight birdies on four and five.
Three more birdies followed on six, nine and 12, before a second bogey on 15, but another two birdies on 16 and 17 got him back in front of Maguire after the American had roared into the race with seven birdies and an eagle in an impressive display.
That shot could prove crucial going into the final day with places on next year’s Open Championship and Masters at stake, as well as points on The International Series Rankings race. McKibbin felt he did well in more difficult conditions on day three. He said: “It was pretty good overall. I felt the course was playing a little tougher – the pins seemed harder but I played some very nice golf. I holed a few good putts, and everything felt solid.
“I think everyone came here knowing those spots are available, but for me, finishing second or third doesn’t make a big difference. I went into the week with the mindset of giving it a good go, and that’s what I’ll try to do.”
Maguire was ticking along with two birdies in his front nine but he sprang into contention with a run of three birdies and an eagle from 10 to 13, including a hole out on his second at 11, and then back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18.
Maguire, a winner on The International Series last year at the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, said: “Yeah it all kind of kicked off on 11, I holed out the second shot.
“Had some tree trouble, was thinking about going over the trees. Hit a little punchy eight iron and it rolled in like a putt. You know, I was just happy to get that on the green and to see it drop. That was the kickstarter and I was able to make a few more birdies in a row.”
Peter Uihlein of the USA
Uihlein, who shot a triple bogey on 10 in round two when sitting nine under with two left to play, had another eventful day. Having picked up five birdies by 14, he went bogey-birdie-birdie-bogey and ultimately settled for a 65 to stay two off the lead – where he had started.
Range Goats GC star Uihlein said: “The start was all right, right? And then the last four, well, I guess 15 and 18 were bad, but it felt fine compared to yesterday, it felt like way less of a roller coaster than yesterday.”
Referring to The Open and Masters places that will go to the champion, the two-time International Series winner added: “It’s obviously amazing that the governing bodies have recognized this event for the quality that it is. It has obviously given us an opportunity to try and win, and a couple shots back, you still got to make a bunch of birdies, so we will see.”
The 10-time Asian Tour champion Hend is handily placed, three back from McKibbin after a bogey-free six-under 64. He said: “I just tried to play solid golf. I missed a fair few putts out there, but when I missed the green, I managed to get it up and down.
“Overall, it was about staying steady and keeping things simple. I’ll need a low one because Tom is playing some good golf. We’ll see what happens. I’d love to be a Hong Kong Open champion again. That’s the main goal. For me, this is a special tournament on the schedule, and I always look forward to playing here. Everything else is just a bonus.”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand
Thailand’s Kiradech, making his first Asian Tour start of the season, struggled with two early bogeys but he hit back with four birdies and an eagle to stay in the hunt, level with Hend.
He said: “Rough start, two over through five and I missed couple of shots. But I’m just enjoying this week. Today I was playing with my good friend Peter Uihlein, one of the best – we had a lot of chat and I played a lot better on the back nine. The team has done an amazing job here – the conditions are the best I have ever seen. There are a lot of opportunities to make birdies but if you don’t pay attention you can get hurt.”
The Link Hong Kong Open is the seventh of nine elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League through the season-long Rankings race.
Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin [main picture] added a five-under-par 65 to his opening round 60 for a two-shot lead in the Link Hong Kong Open today.
The LIV Golf star leads on 15-under here at Hong Kong Golf Club from second-placed American Peter Uihlein plus Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond.
Uihlein shot a 63, which included a triple bogey on his penultimate hole, Kiradech carded a 65 and Jazz a 66.
American Charles Howell III, in with a 62, and Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa and Thomas Pieters from Belgium, who both shot 66s, are a shot further back.
McKibbin, who plays for Legion XIII on LIV Golf, captained by Spaniard Jon Rahm, was bogey free again today and looks like he will be hard to beat this weekend.
“Very, very solid day,” said the 22-year-old, whose 60 yesterday set a new course record.
Peter Uihlein.
“Game played very, very similar to yesterday. Just didn’t hole us as many putts. But yeah, very happy to keep the bogeys off the card.”
He has won once before on the European Tour, two years ago, and is chasing his first title on the Asian Tour and The International Series.
He added: “Hopefully, very similar stuff [over the weekend] would be nice. Think I’ve sort of took the approach going into this week just to sort of play very aggressive and sort of just whatever the outcome is, come the end of the week, it is what it is. And I think maybe I’ll just keep doing that. And, you know, I’ve had a quite nice year. So why not just go for it?”
He made two birdies on the front and three, in a row, on the second half.
Uihlein, chasing his third title on The International Series following two wins last year, made nine birdies today before disaster on the par-four ninth, his 17th as he started on 11.
“I blocked it,” he said about the ninth, which he followed with a birdie. “Then chipped it through the fairway. Fatted it. Fatted it. Next one I wasn’t gonna fat it right?”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
He’d cruised through his first nine in six-under, with four consecutive birdies from 12, and was running away with it before his unexpected finish.
Despite threatening to break McKibbin’s course record he added: “I hit it awful. Absolutely. Hit it terrible. Oh, it was awful. I didn’t hit a fairway until 18, and then I was in the middle of a divot, and then my next fairway I hit was on four and just had a clod of mud. I drove it awful. So, no, there was no thoughts of anything like that [course record], it was survival.”
He won The International Series events first in England and then in Qatar last year, for his first successes on the Asian Tour. He claimed the first by seven and the next by five and will doubt be amongst it again this weekend.
“Yesterday, hit it great,” he added. “I think today was just – I mean it’s not even 12 o clock, right? So, it’s still early in the morning, right? It’s just one of those things. I just didn’t hit it very good today, but hit it great yesterday. You know, I’m sure I’ll be a couple back or so going on the weekend, so we’ll see.”
Kiradech, the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion in 2013, made an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys.
“It was a solid day overall,” said Kiradech, who is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour in seven years.
Jazz Janewattananond.
“Even though it didn’t start well, similar to the first round. I opened with a bogey after a bad drive but bounced back quickly with birdies on the second and third holes, which got me back into the game.
“My driving wasn’t as sharp as yesterday, but I managed my game well, focused on hitting as many greens as possible, and my putting felt great. I had good speed and good reads all day. Finishing five-under puts me just a couple of shots behind, so I’ll keep doing what’s worked in the first two rounds.”
Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
American Peter Uihlein added a second-round seven-under-par 63 to his opening 64 to take a one-shot lead mid-way through Friday at the Link Hong Kong Open today – but it could have been so much better.
He has the clubhouse lead on 13-under here at the Hong Kong Golf Club, despite a triple-bogey seven on the ninth – his penultimate hole as he started on 11.
Tucked in behind him in second are the formidable duo of Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa and Thomas Pieters, who both shot 66s.
Australian Scott Hend and Micah Shin from the United States are two back in a tie for third, following 65s.
Half the field are still on the course, including Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who carded a course record 60 yesterday.
Peter Uihlein.
Uihlein, chasing his third title on The International Series following two wins last year, made nine birdies today before disaster struck on the par-four ninth. A birdie on 10 helped with the damage.
“I blocked it,” he said of the seven. “Then chipped it through the fairway. Fatted it. Fatted it. Next one I wasn’t gonna fat it right?”
He’d cruised through his first nine in six-under, with four consecutive birdies from 12, and was running away with it before his unexpected finish.
Despite threatening to break McKibbin’s course record, he added: “I hit it awful. Absolutely. Hit it terrible. Oh, it was awful. I didn’t hit a fairway until 18, and then I was in the middle of a divot, and then my next fairway I hit was on four and just had a clod of mud. I drove it awful. So, no, there was no thoughts of anything like that [course record], it was survival.”
He won The International Series events in England and then in Qatar las year, for his first successes on the Asian Tour. He secured the first by seven and the next by five and will doubt be in the thick of the action again this weekend.
“Yesterday, hit it great,” he added. “I think today was just – I mean it’s not even 12 o clock, right? So, it’s still early in the morning, right? It’s just one of those things. I just didn’t hit it very good today, but hit it great yesterday. You know, I’m sure I’ll be a couple back or so going on the weekend, so we’ll see.”
Pictures courtesy Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin carded a brilliant, bogey-free 10-under round of 60 on a day of low scoring to take the first-round lead and set a new course record at Hong Kong Golf Club on day one of the Link Hong Kong Open. Promising local amateur Jeffrey Shen showed his undoubted talent with a seven-under round of 63 to stay three off the pace.
McKibbin, a member of Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, teed off on hole 11 and picked up early birdies on 12 and 13, before carding three on the spin from 15 to 17. The 22-year-old then went birdie-eagle on two and three, before picking up two more shots on eight and 10 for a one-shot clubhouse lead. The 60 is an official course record as Patrick Reed’s 59 last year had ‘lift, clean and place’ in play.
Thai star Jazz Janewattananond, also starting off 11, produced a flawless round of 61 to sit one off the lead. The 2023 International Series Morocco champion, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, started slower with three birdies on his front nine, before reeling off six on his back nine. Compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a shot further behind on eight under alongside former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Thomas Pieters of Belgium.
McKibbin was delighted with his morning’s work. The 2023 Porsche European Open winner, who finished T6 at LIV Golf Hong Kong earlier this season, said: “It was obviously a very, very good round. I didn’t really miss too many shots, holed a few nice putts and took advantage of the two par fives that there are out there. And yes, 60 shots later, I’m sitting here!”
On flirting with Reed’s 59, which the American posted in the third round en-route to a four-shot victory last year, McKibbin said: “No, I looked at the scorecard after 17 holes and saw it was a par 70, so I knew I had to eagle the last so maybe that helped.. But yes, 60 is the lowest round that I have ever shot – 62 has been my best before. So it was nice to break that, fantastic.”
HONG KONG, CHINA: Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand pictured on Thursday, October 30, 2025, during Round One of the 2025 Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club. The US$2,000,000 event is staged from October 30-November 2, 2025. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour
Kiradech, on his first Asian Tour start of the season, carded nine birdies and the one bogey. He said: “My iron play was strong, and I stayed positive throughout. The key for me today was simply enjoying being back on the Asian Tour. I got to play with Sarit (Suwannarut), one of the new generation of Thai players. We had some great conversations, and it’s inspiring to see young Thai talent fighting proudly for our flag across Asia. I am really happy to see the Asian Tour heading in the right direction.
“It is growing, and we are seeing more great players emerge from here – I am proud to be one of them. I genuinely enjoy being part of these events. When I am having fun and in a good mood, everything else tends to fall into place.”
The Stinger GC LIV Golf player Oosthuizen was the pick of the afternoon rounds, with six back-nine birdies which were helped largely by a red-hot putter. Pieters started with four straight birdies, and managed another two on the turn, before picking up further shots on 15 and 18.
Oosthuizen, the Stinger GC captain, put his good showing down to the flat stick, as he said: “Ten putts on the back nine definitely helped!
“I missed one birdie putt and had a good up-and-down on 14, but the rest were one-putts. I read the greens really well today. I did some drill work on the putting green this morning and felt something click in my setup. I tried to carry that feeling into the round, and it worked.”
While there was only heartache for local hero Taichi Kho, in the form of a seven-over 77, promising local youngster Shen was in a five-man group tied for sixth.
HONG KONG, CHINA: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa pictured on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during the Pro-am event ahead of the 2025 Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club. The US$2,000,000 event is staged from October 30-November 2, 2025. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour
Talented youngster Shen sits on seven under alongside International Series Rankings leader Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, LIV Golf star Matt Jones of Australia, Japan’s Kensei Hirata and Austen Truslow of the U.S. who had an eventful round with an eagle, seven birdies and a double bogey.
Talented youngster Shen was in tremendous form, bouncing back well from the heat stroke he suffered last weekend at the Asian Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai.
Shen, who had his father on the bag for the round, said: “I mean, I like this feeling, with my family and my friends here to support me, and because this is my home course, every time I feel really good here. At Hong Kong Golf Club, it is all about the putting. So you need to plan for it because the pin position is changed every day.”
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kazuki Higa of Japan is a shot further back on six under in an 11-strong pack while defending champion Reed, is handily placed on five under in T22, and Miguel Tabuena, last week’s International Series Philippines winner, sits T27 on four under for the day.
The Link Hong Kong Open is the seventh of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour that form a pathway onto the LIV Golf League for the season-ending Rankings champion.
Just one week after Filipino sports fans celebrated a sensational victory for one of their own on home soil, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho is hoping to create the same kind of atmosphere – and a similar successful title challenge – at the Link Hong Kong Open, which starts tomorrow.
Miguel Tabuena’s emphatic three-shot victory at International Series Philippines was played out in front of a partisan crowd at the Sta. Elena Golf Club. A 69 and three consecutive seven-under 65s set up a result that was good enough to see off a star-studded field including former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, plus fellow major champions Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.
A week later, and a strong field has gathered forthe Link Hong Kong Open, with major stars including Reed, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell joined by a host of LIV Golf stars and the cream of the Asian Tour.
Local hero Kho posted a T6 in the tournament last season, returning impressive rounds of 67-65-66-66 around the Hong Kong Golf Club Composite Course as Reed emerged victorious thanks largely to an incredible third round of 59.
Kho may not have been successful on that occasion. However, the Asian Games gold medal winner has tasted success at the course before. In 2023, he secured a historic triumph at the rain-shortened World City Championship, becoming the first ever Hong Kong winner on the Asian Tour.
Taichi Kho.
When asked about the inspiration of playing in front of a home crowd at Fanling, he said: “The home crowd definitely gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration to be my best self out there. I will play with a lot of pride and passion out there. And I definitely feel like it’s definitely to my advantage to have that home crowd. I feel very supported out there and I am very grateful for that.”
Tabuena’s knowledge of the Sta. Elena track was evident in the way he attacked the par fives over the weekend – with five eagles overall helping to secure an emotional victory.
Kho will hope for a similar home advantage to power boost his own game which has shown some encouraging signs this season.
On The International Series, his 2025 best results have been a T6 at International Series Macau presented by Wynn, and a T20 last time out at International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus. At the end of last season, he also finished runner-up in the LIV Golf Promotions event.
Elsewhere this year he has also managed a runner-up spot in the Mandiri Indonesia Open and two T4s – at the 41st Shinhan Donghae Open and the Kolon Korea Open.
When asked about adding course knowledge into the mix, the 24-year-old said: “I think in terms of preparation, I feel like I know the course pretty well now, so I guess the notes year on year are pretty similar. I just enjoy playing this course, so I went out for just over nine holes today, and I am looking forward to the pro am. So yes, I am really looking forward to getting a lot of welcome this week.”
As always, Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event is sure to draw large crowds, and Kho will be a focal point for many. But in this year’s edition of the tournament, there is everything to play for.
The champion will earn a place in the field on next year’s 154th Open Championship and the Masters, as well as vital International Series Rankings points with a place on the LIV Golf League at stake next year.
Taichi Kho.
Kho said: “Obviously it is a really special tournament, at my home club as well. As a kid it was always a dream to play in the Hong Kong Open. I remember watching so many players as a 10-year-old at Fanling. So to be able to actually plan it now is a dream come true. And hopefully I get inspired by just playing these events and trying to do well here. And hopefully I can inspire the next generation of golfers in Hong Kong to do the same.”
Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
American Patrick Reed will attempt to become the first player in 12 years to successfully defend the Link Hong Kong Open this week and says he is close to replicating is record breaking form from a year ago.
He begins his defense on Thursday at the Hong Kong Golf Club – where he carded an astonishing 59 on day three – and is well placed after a top-20 finish in last week’s International Series Philippines.
Victory in LIV Golf Dallas in June – his first individual title on the league – finishing second in the International Series Macau, and third placed finishes in the Masters and the BMW PGA Championship also point to a player who may once again thrill the Hong Kong galleries.
“Game feels pretty good, it doesn’t really feel much different [from last year],” said the LIV Golf League star.
“I feel like the difference now compared with those events earlier this year is I was making putts. And it seems like these past couple of events, it’s been a bunch of putts I’ve just kind of lipped out and burned edges.
“And when you win golf tournaments and you finish up really high, instead of lipping out they seem to lip in. So no, the golf game feels like it’s in a pretty good spot. Just need to kind of just reset.
“I feel confident where the game is. Just need to go out and execute. And really just kind of pull those vibes from last time I was in Hong Kong.”
He won by three shots from defending champion Ben Campbell from New Zealand last year for maiden title on the Asian Tour and The International Series.
When asked what is the key to playing Hong Kong Golf Club he explained: “The biggest thing for me is not to get ahead of myself. It’s pretty easy to kind of sit there and kind of look at the leaderboard, see the guys going low. You have little pockets throughout that golf course that you can really attack and get going.
“And really, that place is for me. It’s just kind of go out there and just kind of allow it to come to me and allow it to happen. Because I kind of know what to do around that place. The biggest thing is just kind of going out there and executing, rather than trying to press and push on.”
The last player to win this week’s event back-to-back was Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2013 – which took his haul of Hong Kong Open titles to four, the joint most.
Reed has been paired with England’s Paul Casey and Filipino Miguel Tabuena, last week’s winner, in the first two rounds.
How does last year’s win compare with his other 11 victories in the pro game?
“I mean, it was awesome, has to definitely be up there. I mean, just because obviously the first time ever shooting in the 50s, and then having to back it up on Sunday, and still gotta go out there and win the golf tournament.
“Really kind of going out there and attacking those first seven holes, kind of getting a huge lead, and just kind of be able to kind of enjoy it. I feel like that was first time I won where I actually got to be able to just kind of sit back and enjoy the round of golf, especially that back nine. Because normally it’s always a sprint to the finish, and I think I got up to seven up at one point. So, you know, I kind of was able to kind of coast and just kind of enjoy it.”
Pictures from today’s press conference courtesy Graham Uden.
October 26: Local hero Miguel Tabuena (main picture) delighted home fans and withstood a barrage of birdies from his nearest rivals as a solid seven-under par 65 proved good enough for a dominating three-shot win in the US$2 million International Series Philippines.
Playing at his home course, Sta. Elena Golf Club, just a week after he had to pull out of the SJM Macao Open with neck spasms, Tabuena finished on a 24-under total, while the Japanese duo of Kazuki Higa (65) and Yosuke Asaji (67) were tied second at 21-under.
The win, Tabuena’s fourth, makes him the most successful Filipino golfer on the Asian Tour. The previous record of three titles was held by Angelo Que. He also broke through the US$3 million in career earnings on the Tour with his first International Series title.
Higa, winner of back-to-back titles in Korea and Chinese Taipei, was back on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with the finish.
Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
Joint overnight leaders, Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut and China’s Sampson Zheng, both shot identical score of 69 to be tied fourth at -20. Australia’s Marc Leishman (65) was the best placed among the several LIV Golf stars in the field this week, getting to solo sixth place.
Caleb Surratt (67), of the USA, and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) were tied seventh at 16-under.
But the week, and the moment, in one of the best-attended golf tournaments in the Philippines belonged to Tabuena.
He was one-under after seven holes, and still tied with Zheng at 18-under. But an eagle on the par-five eighth separated him from the field, and he made no mistakes on the back nine while pouring in four birdie putts.
“It’s truly special. This is the biggest golf event the Philippines has ever hosted. To win it as a Filipino, in front of my people, is an incredible honour,” said the 31-year-old, who fell on his knees after making the winning putt on the 18th hole.
Kazuki Higa of Japan. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
“I wasn’t 100 per cent this week. I withdrew from an event last week because of neck spasms, but somehow, we got it done. I managed to recover and adjust. It was humbling to see the support from the fans no matter what kind of shot I hit.
“My family and friends were there. My mom’s turning 60 this December, and it meant everything to have her see me win. I just fell to my knees. It was hard to hold it together after such a long, emotional week. I had so much expectations – from others and from myself. This means everything.”
Higa closed his final round in stunning fashion with four birdies in his last four holes.
“I spoke with my caddie on the 15th hole and we decided to finish strong – to stay aggressive all the way in. I managed to execute that plan well and got some good results from it, so very happy with how we finished,” said the 30-year-old.
“There are still many big tournaments to come (before the Order of Merit is decided), so I’ll just keep doing the same things. Just stay patient, stick to my process, and try to win again. That’s the most important goal.”
Asaji, who missed seven cuts and withdrew from one tournament in nine starts since the beginning of August, finally rediscovered the form that has seen him win four titles on the Japan Golf Tour, including the 2019 Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup that was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
Yosuke Asaji of Japan. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
The 32-year-old shot a 29 on the back nine on Saturday and was five-under today – including a holed bunker shot on the par-three 17th from an impossible position – as he mounted a late charge.
“The front nine, it was pretty tough, but I was able to go five under on the back nine, and that was my day,” said Asaji. “On the front nine, where I hit my tee shots, it was really hard to score from there because of how the course is laid out. It’s easier for me to hit the fairways here on the back nine.
“For next week in Hong Kong, I wasn’t in the field at the beginning of the week, but I get in now based on my finish and I am really happy about that. I’m just looking forward to playing there.”
Star attraction of the tournament and former world No1 Dustin Johnson closed with a 67 and finished his week tied 15th at 13-under.
The International Series Philippines was the sixth of nine elevated events on the 2025 Asian Tour schedule. The Asian Tour, and the International Series, moves to Hong Kong next week for the US$2 million Link Hong Kong Open.
October 25: Sampson Zheng (main picture) set up a fascinating final-round contest in the US$2 million International Series Philippines with home hero Miguel Tabuena and the in-form Sarit Suwannarut after a sensational 10-under par 62 third round on Saturday.
Thailand’s Sarit (69), a two-time International Series winner, had started the day four shots ahead of Tabuena and Kazuki Higa, but he was caught up on the moving day by the fast-charging Zheng, and Tabuena (65), who made two eagles during the round.
The leading trio was one ahead of Japan’s Yosuke Asaji (65), while South Africa’s LIV Golf star Dean Burmester (65) and another in-form star Kazuki Higa (68) were tied fifth at 14-under. India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) made a bogey on his closing hole but advanced to solo seventh place at 13-under, one ahead of Australia’s Marc Leishman (65).
China’s 24-year-old Zheng rode a hot putter and jumped into contention with a round that featured eight birdies and an eagle on the par-five eighth hole. The round included four straight birdies from the 14th to 17th holes, followed by a crucial par save on his final hole where he two-putted from 45 feet.
“I just hit a lot of greens and made a lot of putts. I honestly didn’t feel like I did anything super special, but I just stuck to the game plan. Hit a lot of greens, hit a lot of shots very close, and fortunately made some putts,” said Zheng, whose best finish on the Asian Tour is a tied second at Mandiri Indonesia Open and a tied fourth in International Series, in England, last year.
Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
“The speed control is practice, and more practice. There really is no secret. The greens have been rolling better every day, and it seems like it’s getting a little bit faster towards the end when they got dried out. But yeah, overall, the speed control was really good.
“My second shot into eighth was probably the best shot I hit all day. I hit a four-hybrid to 24 feet and the eagle gave me a lot of momentum. It got me from two-under for the day to four, and just kind of got the snowball rolling from there. So, that was a very important shot.”
In Friday’s second round, Tabuena made a hole-in-one and an eagle, and he followed up on Saturday with eagles on the par-five third and 16th holes. On the third, Tabuena smashed a four-iron from 257 yards and hit a five-iron from 235 yards downwind on the 16th.
Playing with a blue ribbon in memory of his friend, Paolo ‘Paowee’ Tantoco, son of Rico Tantoco, the owner of Sta. Elena Golf Club, Tabuena said: “To be honest, I totally forgot my score out there. I was just cruising and found myself in a real flow state — which is exactly what I wanted to achieve at the start of the day. I didn’t want to think about my score or what the other players were doing. I just wanted to focus on my own game and execute my plan, and it was nice to be able to do that today.
“I haven’t played in front of that many people in a long time. It just makes it even more special that it’s happening here at home. Hopefully, I can get the job done tomorrow.”
Sarit Suwannarut of Thailand. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
After making 16 birdies in his first 36 holes, Sarit could add only five in the third, apart from two bogeys – one of which came on the par-five eighth.
“It was a tough day. I didn’t hit my driver as good as the first two days, and the pins were a little bit tougher. So, I’ll say overall solid, but not as good as I wanted,” said the 27-year-old, who was leading by four shots the previous week in Macao, but finished tied fourth.
“I feel the same as I did in Macao. The number I have to shoot to be able to win, I’m just going to focus on that and try to do my best to outplay the other guys. Not only the other two guys, but you can see how low everyone is scoring today. Someone could shoot 10-under again and jump up the leaderboard. But yeah, I’m going to play my best, and let’s see what happens after that.”
Star attraction and former world No1 Dustin Johnson shot a four-under 68 to move up to tied 26th place at eight-under. His 4Aces GC teammate and former Masters champion, Patrick Reed, shot a 71 and slipped to tied 19th place at nine-under.
International Series Philippines is the sixth of nine elevated events on the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.
October 24: Sarit Suwannarut (main picture) kept the pedal to the metal, increasing his advantage on top of the leaderboard by four shots at the halfway stage of the US$2 million International Series Philippines.
The two-time International Series winner added a six-under par 66 to his overnight 64 and reached 14-under par after 36 holes, four ahead of local hero Miguel Tabuena (65), who delighted his home fans with a stunning round that included a hole-in-one and an eagle in the space of three holes.
Joining Tabuena at 10-under was the in-form Japanese star Kazuki Higa (69).
Another Japanese player, Yosuke Asaji (66), Korea’s Soomin Lee (67), Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan (67) and Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung (67) were tied fourth at nine-under, while New Zealand’s Denzel Ieremia (67), American Patrick Reed (66) and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) were tied eighth at 136. It made for a truly international leaderboard as players from nine countries made the top-10.
Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
England’s Steve Lewton shot the lowest round of the tournament so far at the beautiful Sta. Elena Golf Club, a bogey-free 63 that made up for a disappointing two-over 74 in the opening round.
Sarit’s first shot of the day, on the opening hole, ended up in the penalty area, but he managed to make a birdie from there. That just set the tone for the day as he raced ahead of the field.
“It helped a lot (the birdie on first). I mean, after I hit the tee shot, I didn’t even know where it was. I asked Guna (caddie) where it was and he said it was in the fairway. I didn’t believe him. Luckily, I got a good lie and it was a good shot from about 50 yards, and the birdie helped to keep the momentum from yesterday,” said Sarit, who made only one bogey on each of the first two days.
“You just have to focus only on what you have to do, and hit your shot. I have been playing good golf for the past four weeks, so I know what I can do.
“I know my game well, and I’ve just tried to stay calm and focus on what I need to do. So far, it’s been working nicely, and I hope to keep the momentum going over the next two days.”
Kazuki Higa of Japan. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
Tabuena, who shot a 69 on Thursday, started from the 10th tee with a birdie, but was galloping when he holed his tee shot on the par-three 14th, and then eagled the par-five 16th. He then birdied the 18th, second and third in a round of 65 that lifted him to 10-under par total at the halfway stage.
Golf fans in the Philippines turned up in huge numbers for the tournament, and they were rewarded as the home favourite raised hopes of a Filipino champion.
On the 171-yard 14th, Tabuena did not see his ball take a hop and disappear into the hole, but the eagle was perfectly planned on a hole where he has forgotten the count of how many he has scored so far in his career.
“It’s not every day you make a hole-in-one, but I was glad I kept it together after that. There’s a lot of golf to be played, but it was nice. It’s been probably six years since my last one and only second in a competition. It was nice that it was here in front of friends, family and in my home club,” said the three-time winner on the Asian Tour, who had to pull out of the SJM Macao Open with a neck spasm.
“And then the eagle on the 16th. That was a perfect seven-wood for me. I don’t know how many times I’ve eagled that hole, so it’s very familiar for me. And that is my favourite pin position for that hole, so it was very green light for me.
“I slowed down quite a bit after the birdies on the second and third. But other than that, it was a pretty solid round. The plan was to get back in position for moving day tomorrow.”
Higa, bogey-free on Thursday, dropped two shots in his second round, but kept moving forward with five birdies.
“I struggled a lot on the greens, had so many chances but holed almost nothing. But even after missing some short putts to make bogey, I managed to make a few good birdies. It was a little bit frustrating, but I just had to be patient,” said Higa, who is currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“I have talked about it before, I want to play well in International Series events. However, it’s just halfway. So just trying to keep the good feeling like today, and try to shoot some good scores.”
Star attraction and former world No1 Dustin Johnson, who shot a five-under 67 on Thursday, made another double bogey, a seven on the par-five eighth, and finished with a one-over round of 73.
The International Series Philippines is the sixth of nine elevated events on the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.
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