Asian Tour confirms Manila tournament to go ahead

MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Tour will stage the inaugural Resorts World Manila Masters as scheduled this week despite the recent Typhoon Haiyan which devastated parts of the southern Philippines.

Asian Tour chief executive Mike Kerr said in a statement that the decision to proceed with the $750,000 tournament at the Southwoods Golf and Country Club, from Thursday, was taken after "careful consideration and consultation with the local golf associations, authorities and relief agencies."

"We feel for the people affected by this unfortunate tragedy and hope that through the staging of this tournament and through our support of aid and relief programs, we will be able to help in whatever way possible." Kerr said.

The tour and tournament sponsors have pledged to support the Philippines Red Cross in its efforts to provide aid and assistance, Kerr said.

Authorities have confirmed 1,744 deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced as a result of the damaging typhoon.

Veteran Filipino golfer Frankie Minoza said he's aiming to win this week so he can make some money to donate to the typhoon victims.

"Filipinos have very strong heart. We are used to typhoons hitting our country but it was unusual this year," Minoza said. "We'll get over this as we are survivors and we help each other."

Among the other golfers scheduled to take part are two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden and China's Liang Wenchong.