He was number 430 in the world. Here’s why LIV Golf could be next

When Miguel Tabuena finished his final round, seven-under 65 to win Philippine International Series on Sunday, he crumpled to his knees and hit the turf. The 31-year-old had just secured the biggest win of his career – and he did it on his home course in front of his family.

Tabuena shot three consecutive 65s to lead a field that included Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman. The fact that he did it a week after retiring due to neck spasms makes his victory all the more impressive. The win was the fourth of his career, making him the most successful Filipino golfer on the Asian Tour. It also pushed him past the $3 million mark in career earnings on the Asian Tour.

“It’s really special. This is the biggest golf event the Philippines has ever hosted. To win as a Filipino, in front of my people, is a tremendous honor,” Tabuena said after securing the win.

“My family and friends were there. My mom turns 60 this December and she would have given anything to see me win. I just fell to my knees. It was hard to hold it together after such a long and emotional week. I had so many expectations – from others and from myself. That means everything.”

But Tabuena’s hometown win could end even more in a few weeks.

Tabuena entered the week ranked No. 430 in the Official World Golf Ranking. victory hit it at number 251 and has now positioned him to make a run at the biggest prize in the International Series – an elevated group of tournaments on the Asian Tour. Due to a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the top player in International Series Order of Merit get a seat at LIV Golf for next season.

Tabuena’s victory in Sta. Elena Golf Club moved him up 46 places on the Order of Merit to No. 2, just 108.1 points behind Scott Vincent with three rounds left to play. Vincent was a member of Iron Heads from 2022 to 2024 before losing his place. He won the Morocco International Series event and finished runner-up at the Jakarta International Championship, which has him in position to rejoin LIV unless Tabuena or someone else catches him.

For Tabuena, who was ranked 1,543 in the world at the end of 2022, the chance to play his way into the breakaway circuit is now within reach after his win on home soil. He knows that finding a way to LIV could change everything for him.

“Of course, that’s the goal, you know, we want to be at LIV Golf,” Tabuena said. “That was a big goal this year with my game. From the beginning of this week, I didn’t have that in mind (instead focusing on the tournament), but to be able to do it gives me so much confidence and belief in myself that I can win these events and hopefully next year.”

Last year, Joaquin Niemann finished the year first in the International Series rankings, which meant he was not awarded a spot at Golf LIV. However, Ben Campbell, who finished third, was signed by the RangeGoats after Thomas Pieters was traded to the 4Aces.

The next International Series event is this week at the LINK Hong Kong Open. The winner of the Hong Kong Open will also get a place in the 2026 Masters and the 2026 Open Championship, thanks to a recent change to the qualifying system by Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A. The International Series will conclude with the Moutai Singapore Open on November 6-9 and then the PIF Saudi International on November 19-22.

If Tabuena doesn’t pass Vincent in the next three tournaments, he should still have a chance to earn a spot in the LIV Promotions event, the Q School tournament the breakaway league is expected to host at the end of the season – although LIV Golf has yet to release a date for the event or any information on how many spots will be up for grabs. Three seats were available in 2023, but LIV reduced it to one in 2024. Henrik Stenson, who came down from LIV Golf after a poor season, is expected to be among the players making it to LIV Promotions in a bid to play his way back into the circuit.