By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Former World No.1 and two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson headlines the International Series Philippines, one of Asia’s most exciting golf events of the year.
The American will join fellow Major winners Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen in the much-awaited tournament scheduled from Oct. 23 to 26 at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Johnson has an unbeaten Ryder Cup record in five appearances and was 5-0 at Whistling Straits in 2021. His last stint at the International Series was in the 2024 PIF Saudi International.
“What I love most about the game is that it takes me to places I might never have gone otherwise, and the Philippines is one of those places. To be able to play in front of new fans, experience a different culture, and share the excitement of world-class golf in a country, that’s still discovering the sport —that’s really special for me,” Johnson said in a news release Thursday.
He ruled the 2016 US Open at Oakmont Country Club with a four-under-par score of 276 and the 2020 Masters Tournament, where he set a tournament record of 20-under-par.
Johnson became World No. 1 in February 2017, holding the position for 64 consecutive weeks —the fifth-longest reign in history. He later reclaimed the top spot in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, spending more than 130 weeks in total as the world’s best golfer.
Johnson was runner-up at both The Open Championship (2011) and the US Open (2015), while also collecting six World Golf Championships titles. He won the LIV Golf in Boston and led 4Aces GC to the Team Championship title while also claiming the Individual Season Championship in LIV Golf’s inaugural season. (PNA)
