Torrid scoring lights up International Series Philippines as locals stand tall

Dustin Johnson of the US tees during the International Series Philippines at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa town, Laguna province, south of Manila on October 23, 2025.

Ted Aljibe / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The opening round of the $2-million International Series Philippines lived up to the LIV Golf spirit – featuring explosive shot-making, fearless attacking and birdie-fests that kept fans on their toes from start to finish.

Under pristine skies and near-perfect scoring conditions, 76 players broke par at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Laguna on Thursday, setting the tone for a tournament built on excitement, not attrition. The par-72 layout, softened by the absence of wind, was virtually defenseless against the barrage of birdies that define modern LIV-style golf — a showcase of power, precision and pure entertainment.

At the forefront of this birdie binge was Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, who blistered the course with an eight-under 64 to seize the early lead. The two-time International Series winner birdied four of his opening seven holes at the back nine and, after trading a birdie and a bogey early on his return nine, closed with four more birdies in his last seven holes.

“It was perfect,” said Suwannarut. “I’ve been playing pretty good. I know my yardages, I trust my swing, and when I tell myself I can do it – I just go ahead and hit it.”

Trailing him by one was Japanese Kazuki Higa, who also sizzled with a flawless 65, while Charles Porter and George Kneiser of the US, Richard Bland of England and Thai Chapchai Nirap matched 66s to make it a crowded leaderboard in the event, which serves a gateway to the LIV Golf League.

Japan's Kazuki Higa tees off at the 10th hole during the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province on October 23, 2025.

Ted Aljibe/AFP

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson put on a masterclass of his own in the company of Filipino star Miguel Tabuena and former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Johnson started in thunderous fashion, birdieing his first three holes and picking up another stroke on the fourth. Though he stumbled with back-to-back bogeys soon after, the former world No. 1 reignited his assault with a dazzling run of five birdies in six holes.

A double bogey on the 15th briefly stalled his momentum, but a closing birdie capped a 67 that featured 25 putts, 11 fairways and 14 greens hit — a statline that underscored both his precision and confidence.

As the international stars went low, the homegrown heroes of Philippine golf rose to the occasion with gritty, inspired play. Clyde Mondilla and Tabuena led the local charge, each carding 69s that reflected poise and persistence amid the high-scoring frenzy.

Mondilla, a former Philippine Open champion at the ultra-demanding The Country Club, showed steely resolve after a shaky start. He battled through a wobbly backside 37 but came alive on his front nine, firing four birdies in his last eight holes, capped by three straight to close his round.

His 32-37 effort, built on 10 fairways, 14 greens and 28 putts, put him in a share of 23rd — just five shots adrift of the lead.

Tabuena, meanwhile, mirrored Mondilla’s resilience. The two-time Philippine Open winner rebounded from an up-and-down stretch of three birdies and three bogeys in his first 14 holes with a late charge – birdieing Nos. 15, 16 and 17 – to finish alongside his compatriot at three-under.

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines hits a shot during the International Series Philippines at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa town, Laguna province, south of Manila on October 23, 2025.

Ted Aljibe/AFP

Close behind were Justin Quiban and Angelo Que, who each opened with two-under 70s. Quiban’s round was a rollercoaster highlighted by two eagles on his front side, offset by a pair of bogeys, while Que mixed four birdies with two early mistakes on Nos. 1 and 4 to stay within striking distance.

Other notable 70s came from Patrick Reed, Chase Koepka, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, all proving how wide open this week’s scoring could get.

Rookie Carl Corpus flashed early promise with birdies on Nos. 1 and 5, igniting hopes of a strong performance in an event of this magnitude. But a few errant swings led to four dropped shots in his last 10 holes, settling for an even-par 72 alongside compatriot Keanu Jahns, who clawed his way back to level par with birdies on 14 and 16.

Further down, Rupert Zaragosa and Sean Ramos struggled to keep pace with the heavy hitters, each signing for 74s and flirting with the projected cut line. Aidric Chan, fresh off a recent Asian Development Tour triumph along with Corpus, also found himself in a similar predicament after a 73.

Still, the locals’ resilience — showcased by Mondilla’s steady scrambling and Tabuena’s strong finish — offered a glimpse of a Filipino contingent determined not to be mere spectators in a star-studded field.

At the end of a thrilling first day, Sta. Elena reflected the kind of golf LIV and its aligned International Series have come to represent: aggressive, entertaining and geared toward fan engagement.

With 76 players already under par, the stage is set for an even wilder second round — one where precision may matter less than momentum, and where birdies, not pars, will again be the currency of success.