Philippine Golf Tour qualifier fires off

LAUREL, Batangas, Philippines — A record field faces a punishing four-day test starting today as the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School unwraps with only 30 coveted Tour cards available for the upcoming season.

Multi-leg winner Ira Alido headlines the huge 124-player cast that includes Ferdie Aunzo, Leandro Bagtas, Ramil Bisera, Jobim Carlos, Anthony Fernando, Albin Engino, Enrico Gallardo, Leonard Lofranco, Jonas Magcalayo, Tom Marcelo, Ivan Monsalve, Carlos Paking, Bobe Salahog, Boni Salahog, Kuresh Samanodi and John Michael Uy, among them.

A strong international presence further raises the stakes, with 43 foreign hopefuls – also a Q-School mark – joining the chase, along with former cardholders determined to regain their playing rights and first-timers eager to break into the professional circuit.

Among the veterans seeking to reclaim their status are Robert Pactolerin, Rey Pagunsan and Richard Sinfuego. Leading the overseas contingent are South Korea’s Kim Tae Won and Japan’s Kento Watanabe.