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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Golf devider ICTSI PH Ladies Masters opens Taiwan LPGA Tour

ICTSI PH Ladies Masters opens Taiwan LPGA Tour

Published Jan 14, 2026 02:26 pm

At A Glance

  • The ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters is set to stage its second edition next month with greater significance, not only as a premier international competition but also as the official kickoff leg of the 2026 Taiwan LPGA (TLPGA) Tour – further cementing its status as a major fixture on the regional women's golf circuit.
The ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters is set to stage its second edition next month with greater significance, not only as a premier international competition but also as the official kickoff leg of the 2026 Taiwan LPGA (TLPGA) Tour – further cementing its status as a major fixture on the regional women’s golf circuit.
Slated for Feb. 4-6 at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, the $200,000, 54-hole championship will open a TLPGA season featuring at least 17 tournaments, immediately placing the Philippines at the forefront of Asia’s competitive women’s golf landscape.
The event is expected to showcase the country’s finest professionals, who will be tested early by a formidable international field equally eager to gain momentum in the new season. Regular TLPGA campaigners will be joined by top players and rising stars from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia – ensuring three days of elite-level shotmaking and intense competition.
Beyond the depth of talent, Summit Point offers a distinct and compelling challenge. The par-72 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is renowned for its ambitious concept – replicas of 18 iconic holes from the world’s most famous layouts, including St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.
Far from being mere visual tributes, these holes demand strategic precision, imagination and adaptability – traits that separate contenders from champions. With fairways and greens that change character with the season, Summit Point promises to reward bold yet disciplined play.
The championship also carries the weight of a dramatic recent history. Korean Kim Kayoung produced a career-defining performance in last year’s staging, closing with a steady 68 at The Country Club to edge Thailand’s Nook Sukapan by a single stroke in a riveting final-round duel marked by multiple lead changes.
Kim is expected to return but faces a deeper and tougher field this time around.
Adding intrigue is the strong contingent from the host country’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, including reigning Order of Merit winner Sarah Ababa, Chanelle Avaricio, Princess Superal, Florence Bisera and Mafy Singson – players keen to assert home-course advantage and measure themselves against Asia’s best.
Last year’s Philippine Ladies Masters was co-sanctioned by the TLPGA, the LPGT and the Korean Dream Tour, highlighting its growing appeal across multiple tours. This season’s designation as the opening leg of the TLPGA further elevates the event’s profile, positioning it as a gateway tournament where players seek an early competitive edge.
More than just another stop on the calendar, the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized event underscores the Philippines’ emergence as a preferred destination for elite women’s golf. With championship-level courses, strong organizational backing and an increasingly international field, the event has become a proving ground for regional players aiming to sharpen their skills, gain exposure and contend on a broader Asian stage.
As the spotlight turns to Summit Point, the tournament stands poised to deliver not only compelling competition but also a reaffirmation of the country’s growing influence in shaping the future of women’s golf in the region.
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