Tom Marcelo is among the 126 contenders for the 30 slots up for grabs in the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Qualifying School set to kick off on March 17, 2026 in Laurel, Batangas. The Q-School remains the gateway for professionals and amateurs seeking entry into the elite ranks. (Contributed photo)
A record-breaking field of 126 players is set to converge on Laurel, Batangas as the qualifying battleground for the 2026 season of the Philippine Golf Tour fires off on March 17.
Staged over four demanding days at the scenic Splendido Golf Club, the Qualifying School will determine the 30 coveted tour cards for a season that promises heightened competition and richer rewards.
Perched on rolling terrain with sweeping views of Taal Lake, the venue will test both skill and nerve as aspirants chase a spot in the PGT’s 10-leg circuit, each event offering prize purses of at least ₱2 million and expanded international participation.
Those who survive Q-School will join last season’s top 40 performers from the Order of Merit, a group led by reigning champion Angelo Que and bolstered by the likes of Keanu Jahns and Fidel Concepcion. Together, they will form the backbone of a tour that continues to raise the bar for professional golf in the country.
As always, Q-School serves as the gateway to the elite ranks, drawing a compelling mix of proven winners, seasoned campaigners, and hungry newcomers.
Former leg champions Ira Alido and Jobim Carlos headline a deep local cast that includes Robert Pactolerin, Rey Pagunsan, Anthony Fernando, Rufino Bayron, and Ivan Monsalve, among many others eager to extend or revive their PGT campaigns.
Adding another layer of intrigue is a strong international presence, with 43 foreign players vying for slots. Leading the overseas charge are South Korea’s Kim Tae Won, Japan’s Kento Watanabe, Daiya Suzuki and former Q-School medalist Toru Nakajima, alongside American contender Riley Keagle.
Backed by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., the PGT officially opens its season with the Lakewood Championship from March 24 to 27 at Lakewood Golf and Country Club in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, staged alongside a 54-hole Ladies PGT event. The tour then pauses to give way to the Junior PGT before resuming on May 19 at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna.
For many in the field, the week at Splendido is more than just another tournament. It is four days that could define an entire season — and, for some, a career.