Augusta National Winning Trio Headline International Series Philippines

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The Masters winning trio of Americans Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed along with South African Charl Schwartzel head the field teeing-up in this week’s $US 2m Asian Tour International Series Philippines event taking place on the Sta Elena Golf Club course in the city of Santa Rose located just to the south of the capital of Manila.

Joining them is Schwartzel’s major-winning compatriot in Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen along with a wealth of their fellow LIV Golf stars in Kevin Na, Richard Bland, Peter Ulhein, Kiwi Danny Lee, Aussie Marc Leischman and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent the current Asian Tour No. 1 with six events remaining on this year’s schedule.

NB:  Of course, there was set to be four Masters champions competing this week but a thumb injury has ruled Bubba Watson from competing …. see below)

Johnson, or ‘DJ’ as he more affectionately known, is also a former world No.1 and 2016 US Open winner and he is hoping his presence in the Philippines willl help grow the game further in the sports-crazy nation and across the region.

It is Johnson’s first appearance on The International Series this season, and the 4Aces GC captain on LIV Golf is delighted to be part of a product that is committed to growing the game across the globe.

He said: “I think growing the game is very important. Obviously, LIV has done a great job leading that effort, and The International Series continues to expand golf’s reach by playing all over the world. The Asian Tour, bringing golf to parts of the world that I have never been to, and that a lot of golfers have never been to.

Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and the Philippines own Miguel Tabuena meet the media ahead of this week’s $US 2m International Series Philippines, Image – Asian Tour

“I think this is great for the game. The game of golf is growing a lot, and playing in places like this really helps.”

It’s a rare season when Johnson doesn’t capture a victory.

Since his rookie year on the PGA Tour in 2008 — when he has his first win at the Turning Stone Resort Championship — he has recorded at least one win almost every year. However, this marks the first season since 2014 that the 41-year-old has gone without a title, with his best finish being third place at LIV Golf Indianapolis, the final event of the regular season.

And although he had not managed a look around the Sta. Elena course, the former US Ryder Cup player was confident he could deal with whatever came his way.

Where else would you find such transport than the Philippines. Image Asian Tour and Sta Elena Facebook.

DJ said: “This will actually be my first look at the course – I am heading out this afternoon (for the afternoon pro-am).

“It is a golf course. I have played enough courses by now. I have got a good caddie, so hopefully he will go out and scout the course, tell me where to hit it. Then as long as my game is in good form, I’ll be able to hit it very tough.”

4Aces GC team-mate Patrick Reed, sitting alongside Johnson and local hero Miguel Tabuena at the marquee player press conference, has seen enough of the course to know it offers a test.

Reed tees off alongside compatriot John Catlin, the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and Stinger GC player Dean Burmester at 11:30 in the group before Johnson.“I saw the golf course on Monday,” said Reed.

“I played nine and then nine yesterday. Yeah, the golf course is a major golf course. You have got to work the ball both ways, and as long as you are driving it relatively long and straight, the golf course is accessible.

“But if you are off with the tee shots, it could be a long week. So the golf course looks good. I heard they had some really bad weather – a typhoon (last) Sunday – and I feel like the golf course has held up really nicely.”

Reed has the par fives in his sights as he plots a second victory of the season following on from his LIV Golf Dallas triumph back in June. A win in the Philippines would be the perfect build-up to the defence of his Link Hong Kong Open title next week.

He said: “I feel like every hole can turn, but really it seems like these par fives – you have to kind of attack them. If you hit a quality tee shot, it is not a guarantee after that point.

“You look at 10, there’s trouble near the green; same for 16. Hit too far left, and you bring the hazard into play. Miss to the right, and it is wet and nasty trying to get it up and down.

“To me, the par fives are key – you have to take care of them by being smart, but also trying to get as many birdies as possible.

“The par threes on the front are beasts compared to the back. For me, the big thing is driving it straight and being smart on the par fives.”

BUBBA SIDELINED DUE TO THUMB INJURY

Copy with thanks Asian Tour.



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