Resorts World Manila brings back RWM Masters golf tourney, offers $1M prize pot

Resorts World Manila, in cooperation with the Asian Tour and Manila Southwoods, announced the return of the Resorts World Manila Masters, the richest golf tournament in the Philippines, happening on November 19-22, 2015.

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The Resorts World Manila Masters (RWMM) 2015, a full-field Asian Tour tournament will offer a US$1 million prize pot once again at the prestigious Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club and will have multi-pronged objectives to benefit the nation, said Stephen Reilly, Chief Operating Officer, Resorts World Manila.

Part of the tournament’s vision is to boost the development of professional golf in the country and Asia, creating opportunities for Filipino golfers to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, and finally promoting the Philippines as a golfing haven and top-class tourist destination.

“We are delighted to maintain our role as title sponsor of the most lucrative golf tournament in the Philippines,” said Reilly in a press conference today. “The tournament has been very successful in the first two editions and we look forward to further leveraging Resorts World Manila and the Philippines onto the global map through live television broadcasts which have the potential to reach 625 million homes in 180 countries.”

“Through our partnership with the Asian Tour and Manila Southwoods, we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful country to the world while also extending our fullest support towards professional golf as we prepare to celebrate golf’s return into the Olympic program next year in Rio de Janeiro.  It has always been our commitment to champion the Filipino and we hope our Filipino golfers will earn valuable Official World Golf Ranking points on offer at the RWM Masters to enhance their hopes of playing in the Olympics.”

China’s Liang Wen-chong claimed a thrilling play-off victory over Prom Meesawat of Thailand in the inaugural tournament in 2013 before Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat marched to a stylish six-shot triumph the following year where he led from wire-to-wire at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters course at Manila Southwoods.

Bob Sobrepeña, Chairman, Manila Southwoods, said the Club will ensure its championship course will be at its best condition when Asia’s finest golfers return for the Resorts World Manila Masters.

“We are privileged and honored to be the host venue once again for what is now the Philippines’ richest golf tournament on the Asian Tour,” said Sobrepeña.

“Our club management and course superintendent, John Cope, have done a fantastic job over the past two years to ensure our Masters course is in prime condition for the event that we’ve witnessed some wonderful scoring by the stars from the Asian Tour.

“The Resorts World Manila Masters will showcase the Philippines to the global golfing community and I believe it will benefit tourism in our country.”

Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr said the Resorts World Manila Masters will continue to play a role in propelling Filipino golfers into the Olympic Games next year.

“On behalf of our membership, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Resorts World Manila and Manila Southwoods for their fantastic support towards the Asian Tour. Our players always enjoy competing at the Resorts World Manila Masters as they get to stay in a magnificent resort and compete on a top-class golf course,” said Kerr.

“We’ve witnessed two memorable editions and I’m sure this year’s tournament will provide greater drama and excitement. Filipino golfers such as Angelo Que, Antonio Lascuna, and Miguel Tabuena have been successful on the Asian Tour in recent years and I’m sure they will be trying their hardest to secure a first home victory for the country.

“With the tournament being slated in November, it could potentially have an impact in the race for our Order of Merit crown and I’m expecting our top players to tee up at Manila Southwoods and battle for the US$180,000 champion’s cheque.”