Shin returns to revamped Southwoods for US$1-million Philippine Open
A 132-player field will face narrower fairways at the Masters course, where Southwoods has spent ₱35 million on preparations.
Micah Shin will return to the venue of his first Asian Tour victory when the US$1-million Philippine Open begins on November 12 at Manila Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite. The 72-hole tournament concludes the Asian Tour season.
Southwoods has spent ₱35 million preparing its refurbished Masters course for the championship. Fairway widths will average 25 to 30 yards, with ankle-deep rough awaiting inaccurate shots. Assistant general manager Jerome Delariarte said players would need to reach the fairways to attack the pins.
Shin, 29, arrives after beating Sean Ramos by nine strokes at the Philippine Golf Tour event at Apo Golf in Davao, having led throughout. He said the victory helped his preparation for the Open as he sought to regain confidence.
The Davao-based golfer won the 2017 Manila Masters at Southwoods in a playoff, despite imposing a two-stroke penalty on himself for carrying 15 clubs. In his previous Philippine Open appearance, he finished joint 31st after opening with scores of 69 and 65, followed by two rounds of 72.
Other Philippine contenders include former Open champions Angelo Que and Clyde Mondilla. The international field includes Travis Smyth, Anirban Lahiri, Andy Ogletree and Jazz Janewattananond.
Admission will be free for the entire championship. Spectators will have access to parking and air-conditioned shuttles, with overflow parking at nearby Splash Island once spaces within the club are full.
