Corpus chases PGT title, Asian Games form

LIPA CITY, Batangas — Carl Corpus will chase his second Philippine Golf Tour title and third professional victory when the 72-hole ICTSI Summit Point Championship opens Tuesday at Summit Point Golf and Country Club.

The 25-year-old also views the PHP 2.5 million tournament as a crucial tuneup for the Asian Games later this month in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Corpus will represent the Philippines alongside LIV Golf player Miguel Tabuena and Japan Golf Tour campaigner Justin delos Santos.

Corpus joined the national team after PGA Tour player Rico Hoey withdrew to focus on the fall portion of his tour schedule.

The Asian Games golf competition will run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at the East Course of Kasugai Country Club in Aichi Prefecture.

Before heading to Japan, Corpus hopes to sharpen his game and regain his competitive rhythm at Summit Point.

The demanding layout is expected to test his short game and touch around the greens, areas he wants to improve before facing a stronger international field.

Corpus is returning to the Asian Games three years after a debut in Hangzhou that fell short of his expectations.

Playing alongside cousin and fellow PGT campaigner Aidric Chan, Corpus finished 33rd in the individual competition and helped the Philippines place ninth in the team event.

Corpus returns to the continental meet as a more experienced player with two professional victories.

He earned his breakthrough Asian Development Tour title at the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech tournament in 2025.

Corpus later captured his first PGT crown at the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge in Antipolo to close the 2025 domestic season.

Those victories gave Corpus something he did not have during his Asian Games debut: proven success at the professional level.

His immediate focus, however, is making the most of the PGT’s return after a two-month break.

The Summit Point tournament is the fifth leg of the tour’s 10-event season and marks the circuit’s return to the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course after nine years.

A strong showing could strengthen Corpus’ growing PGT record and provide valuable momentum for the Asian Games.

The task will be difficult against a deep field eager to make an immediate impact after the break.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Angelo Que leads the local challengers alongside multiple-tour winners Keanu Jahns, Tony Lascuña, Reymon Jaraula, Guido van der Valk and Zanieboy Gialon.

Young players Sean Ramos, Jeffren Lumbo and Russell Bautista will also contend, along with Chan and Filipino American Ivan Yabut.

Attention will also be on Justin Quiban, who returns to the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit after winning the season-opening Lakewood Championship.

The local field will face a strong foreign contingent led by Taewon Ha, Kim Tae Soo, Jisung Cheon and Lee Song.

Japanese campaigners Sena Shiraishi and Hirotaka Kashihara will also compete.

For Corpus, the Summit Point Championship offers more than another opportunity to win a PGT crown.

It is also his first major step toward bringing his game and confidence to their desired levels before the Asian Games.