30 Tour cardsat stake in PGT qualifying event

MANILA, Philippines — A record 126 aspirants – an explosive mix of seasoned campaigners, former national standouts and a crack international contingent – gear up for a pressure-packed, four-day test of power, precision and poise as the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School fires off March 17 at Splendido Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

With only 30 Tour cards up for grabs, the battle shapes up as a survival test where reputations offer no guarantees and a single bad stretch could shatter a year’s worth of preparation. From the opening tee shot to the final putt, it will be an unforgiving grind on a layout widely regarded as one of the most exacting courses on the calendar.

Perched along rolling terrain overlooking Taal Lake, Splendido is noted for its ever-shifting winds, elevation changes and punishing rough.

The top 30 survivors will earn playing rights for the upcoming PGT season – a lucrative 10-leg circuit staged at the country’s premier championship venues. Each event will feature deeper international participation and prize purses of no less than P2 million, raising both the stakes and the standard of competition.

Those who advance will join last season’s top 40 from the Order of Merit rankings, led by reigning OOM champion Angelo Que, along with Keanu Jahns and Fidel Concepcion.