New Zealand’s Nick Voke carried his late-season momentum into the Philippine Open, carding a five-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club.
Voke, who finished tied fourth at the Link Hong Kong Open in his previous Asian Tour appearance, negotiated the demanding Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters Course to move ahead of Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol, who returned a 66. Tawit Polthai, Sarut Vongchaisit, Kevin Na, Andy Ogletree and Jeongwoo Ham shared third place following rounds of 67.
The Indian challenge produced a crowded leaderboard, with Pukhraj Singh Gill, Aman Raj, Shaurya Bhattacharya and Anirban Lahiri all opening with one-over 71s to share 38th place.
Gill’s eventful round contained five birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys. The 2025 IGPL rankings champion has already secured his Asian Tour card for 2027 after finishing inside the top 10 of the Asian Development Tour rankings.
Lahiri mixed two birdies with three bogeys, Aman recorded three birdies and four bogeys, while Bhattacharya made one birdie against two dropped shots. Rashid Khan and Ajeetesh Sandhu were tied 69th after 73s, with SSP Chawrasia further back following a 76.
Asian Tour rankings leader Pavit Tangkamolprasert strengthened his position with a 68. His closest challenger, Travis Smyth, opened with a 73, while Jazz Janewattananond returned a 74 at the season-ending event.
Photo – Asian Tour
