His world ranking is No. 430. Here’s why LIV Golf could be next

When Miguel Tabuena closed the final round with a 7-under 65 to win the Philippine International Series title on Sunday, he fell to his knees and slapped the turf hard. The 31-year-old had just earned the biggest win of his career – and it came on his home court, in front of his family.

Tabuena shot three consecutive 65s to top a field that included Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman. That he did it only a week after withdrawing due to neck spasms made his victory even more impressive. It was his fourth career win, making him the most successful Filipino golfer on the Asian Tour. This also allowed his career earnings on the Asian Tour to exceed the US$3 million mark.

“This is really special. This is the biggest golf event ever held in the Philippines. As a Filipino, it’s an incredible honor to win in front of my people,” Tabuena said after the win.

“My family and friends were all there. My mom turns 60 this December and for her to see me win meant everything. I dropped to my knees. It’s hard to keep the mood up after such a long and exciting week. I had so many expectations – from others and myself. It meant everything.”

But Tabuena’s victory on home soil could become even more meaningful in a few weeks.

Entering this week, Tabuena was ranked No. 430 in the Official World Golf Ranking. The victory moved him up to No. 251 in the rankings and he now has a chance to compete for the international series’ top prize, the Asia Tour’s senior category. Thanks to a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the top players on the international series’ money list will qualify for LIV Golf next season.

Tabuena’s victory at Sta. Elena Golf Club moved him up 46 spots on the honor roll to second place, just 108.1 points behind Scott Vincent with three matches remaining. Vincent was a member of the Ironheads from 2022 to 2024 before losing his spot. He won the Morocco International Series and finished runner-up at the Jakarta International Championship, giving him a chance to rejoin LIV unless Tabuena or someone else catches up with him.

For Tabuena, who is ranked 1,543rd in the world at the end of 2022, the opportunity to enter the breakthrough track is now within reach after winning on home soil. He knew finding his way into LIV could change everything for him.

“Of course, that’s our goal, you know, we want to join LIV Golf,” Tabuena said. “That was a big goal for me racing this year. I wasn’t thinking about it starting this week (instead focusing on the tournament), but being able to finish it gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can really win these events and hopefully next year.”

Last year, Joaquin Niemann finished first in the International Series rankings, meaning LIV Golf did not qualify. However, after Thomas Pieters was traded to 4Aces, third-place finisher Ben Campbell was signed by RangeGoats.

The next international series event will be held this week at the LINK Hong Kong Open. Due to recent changes to the eligibility system by Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A, the winner of the Hong Kong Open will also qualify for the 2026 Masters and 2026 Open. The international series will conclude with the Moutai Singapore Open from November 6 to 9 and the PIF Saudi International Open from November 19 to 22.

If Tabuena doesn’t pass Vincent in the next three events, he still has a chance to earn a spot in the LIV Promotions event, the Q School Championship the breakaway league is expected to host at the end of the season – although LIV Golf has yet to announce the event date or any information on how many spots will be up for grabs. There were three seats in 2023, but LIV cut it to one in 2024. Henrik Stenson, who was demoted from LIV Golf after a poor season, is expected to be one of LIV Promotions’ players trying to return to the circuit.