Golf enthusiasts, brace yourselves for a thrilling showdown as Sarit Suwannarut takes a commanding lead at the International Series Philippines, leaving competitors like India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar in hot pursuit. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can Sarit maintain his momentum, or will the chasing pack close the gap in this high-stakes tournament? Let’s dive in.
With a staggering US$22.22 million on the line, the tournament has reached its halfway mark, and Sarit has extended his lead to a four-shot advantage. His stellar performance included a six-under-par 66 in the second round, building on his overnight 64 to reach an impressive 14-under-par after 36 holes. And this is the part most people miss: Despite a rocky start with his first shot landing in the penalty area, Sarit turned adversity into opportunity, birdying the hole and setting the tone for a dominant day.
Local hero Miguel Tabuena stole the show with a breathtaking round, delighting Filipino fans with a hole-in-one and an eagle within three holes, finishing at 10-under-par. Joining him at this mark is Japan’s Kazuki Higa, whose consistent form has kept him in contention. Meanwhile, a group of international stars, including Yosuke Asaji (Japan), Soomin Lee (Korea), Wang Wei-hsuan (Chinese Taipei), and Matthew Cheung (Hong Kong), are tied for fourth at nine-under-par.
Bhullar, alongside New Zealand’s Denzel Ieremia and American Patrick Reed, sits at eight-under-par, still very much in the hunt. Here’s a thought-provoking question: With such a stacked field, who do you think has the best chance to catch Sarit in the remaining rounds? Share your predictions in the comments!
Further down the leaderboard, Ajeetesh Sandhu trails by three shots at five-under-par, while Karandeep Khochhar made the cut at four-under-par, joining former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, who struggled with a one-over 73 in the second round. England’s Steve Lewton turned heads with the tournament’s lowest round so far—a bogey-free 63—redeeming himself after a disappointing opening round.
Sarit’s confidence is palpable. Reflecting on his birdie on the first hole, he shared, ‘It helped a lot… I didn’t even know where my tee shot was, but luckily, I got a good lie and made a great shot from 50 yards. It kept the momentum going.’ His strategy? Stay calm, focus on his game, and trust his recent strong performances. But here’s a counterpoint: Can he sustain this mental fortitude under mounting pressure as the tournament nears its climax?
The atmosphere at Sta. Elena Golf Club has been electric, with Filipino fans rallying behind Tabuena, who dreams of becoming a hometown champion. His hole-in-one on the 171-yard 14th hole was a highlight, though he admitted, ‘It’s not every day you make a hole-in-one… It’s been six years since my last one, and it was special to do it here in front of friends and family.’ Veteran Angelo Que and Justin Quiban also kept Filipino hopes alive, carding strong rounds to stay in contention.
The International Series Philippines is the sixth of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour this season, offering a pathway to LIV Golf through a season-long rankings race. With tournaments already held in India, Macau, Japan, Morocco, and Jakarta, the series culminates in the PIF Saudi International in November. The season’s top performer will earn a coveted spot on LIV Golf next year.
As the tournament heads into its final two days, the question remains: Will Sarit hold on to his lead, or will a dark horse emerge from the chasing pack? One thing’s for sure—this is golf at its most dramatic. What’s your take? Who’s your money on? Let the debate begin!
