Tabuena brings renewed focus into LIV Golf Promotions battle

This handout photograph from the Asian Tour taken and received on October 26, 2025 shows Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena posing with the trophy during the presentation ceremony, after winning the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province.

Graham Uden / Asian Tour / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Miguel Tabuena may be among the headline contenders for the three lucrative spots on offer at the LIV Golf Promotions beginning Thursday, January 8, in Florida, but the Filipino star is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as he prepares for the toughest test of his season.

“I’m coming into Promotions with a really strong mindset,” said Tabuena, who narrowly missed out on securing a LIV Golf berth via the International Series Rankings after finishing third overall last year.

“Missing out in the rankings race hurt, but it also motivated me. I know what’s at stake, and I know I can compete with anyone in that field. It’s about staying patient, staying focused, and trusting the game that got me here,” he stressed.

The two-time Olympian will receive a bye into the second round, but the challenge remains formidable. An 83-player field representing 24 countries will converge at Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club, each chasing one of the coveted LIV Golf slots.

The field is stacked with proven talent, including former elite amateurs, Tour winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players, and former LIV Golf competitors. Headlining the list of notable contenders are Chris Wood, Matt Jones, Ben Campbell, Alex Levy, Anthony Kim, Andy Ogletree and Chase Koepka.

Wood, a former Ryder Cup player and BMW PGA Championship winner, is seeking a return to the elite level as he eyes a place alongside Jon Rahm and the rest of the LIV Golf lineup for the upcoming campaign.

Jones was part of the all-Australian Ripper GC franchise for four seasons alongside Cam Smith, but after finishing in the Open Zone in 2025, he was not retained for 2026. Campbell finds himself in a similar position after representing the RangeGoats in his maiden LIV season in 2025, only to miss out on a contract extension.

Levy has long been a stalwart on the DP World Tour, with five career victories and a peak world ranking of No. 46. Kim, who returned to elite competition in 2024 following a 12-year hiatus, is seeking an immediate bounce-back performance at Promotions.

Ogletree, a former US Amateur champion and the 2023 Asian Tour International Series Order of Merit winner, is also aiming to make a swift return after relegation in 2025, while Koepka is chasing a long-awaited comeback with a strong showing this week.

Still, it is Tabuena who arrives in Florida with a renewed sense of purpose.

That motivation stems directly from the drama of the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, where the 31-year-old came agonizingly close to finishing in the top two of the International Series Rankings. Just two shots separated him from overtaking Japan’s Yosuke Asaji for second place.

Reflecting on the final round, Tabuena admitted he felt on the brink of a breakthrough. A fast start put him firmly in contention, but costly mistakes on the demanding back nine ultimately proved decisive.

“It stings,” said Tabuena. “You work all year for these moments, and I felt like I was right there. I fought until the last hole, and I’m proud of that. That’s golf.”

Despite the disappointment, Tabuena departed Saudi Arabia with immense pride. His historic wire-to-wire victory at the International Series Philippines in October, achieved in front of home fans, stood out as one of the defining moments of his season. Consistent, composed, and fearless throughout the year, he finished with a career-best ranking.

“The season was a highlight of my career,” he said. “Winning in the Philippines — at home — that meant everything. To be in the mix all year for the LIV spots shows how far my game has come.”

Tabuena believes those pressure-filled moments have prepared him perfectly for the challenge ahead.

“This year taught me how to handle pressure at the highest level,” he said. “Promotions will be no different. I’m ready to give everything I have.”

The International Series is composed of 10 premium events on the Asian Tour, serving as a pathway to the LIV Golf League via the International Series Rankings. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent topped the standings last year for the second time in his career, having also finished first in 2022, the inaugural season of LIV Golf.

At Promotions, the top 20 players and ties after the opening 18 holes will advance to the next round, where they will be joined by 19 players exempt into Round 2. Scores will be reset, and another 18-hole stroke-play round will determine the top 20 and ties who advance to the weekend.

Scores will again be reset for Round 3, the first 18 holes of a 36-hole shootout. Scores will carry over into the final round, where the top three finishers will earn full LIV Golf entry for the 2026 season.

For Tabuena, the mission is clear — and the belief remains strong.