Miguel Tabuena makes history by becoming the first Filipino to compete in LIV Golf

Miguel Tabuena has been handed a rare — and potentially career-defining — opportunity, becoming the first Filipino golfer to compete in the LIV Golf League, the sport’s most lucrative and polarizing circuit.

Tabuena earned a place on 4Aces GC, the powerhouse team captained by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson, for the opening event of the 2026 LIV Golf season in Saudi Arabia. He steps into the lineup following Patrick Reed’s departure, as the 2018 Masters champion opted to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour — a move that opened a coveted spot on Johnson’s roster.

With this call-up, Tabuena enters LIV Golf’s inner circle, immersing himself in the league’s distinctive format: team competition, shotgun starts, and a fast-paced, limited-field spectacle built around many of the world’s biggest stars and massive financial stakes. For a player who has spent the bulk of his career battling through the ranks of the Asian Tour and International Series, the opportunity represents both a personal milestone and a historic first for Philippine golf.

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The 31-year-old tees it up Wednesday, February 4, at the Riyadh Golf Club, in a rare nighttime opening round. He is grouped with RangeGoats GC’s Ben Campbell and wildcard Yosuke Asaji, the very player who narrowly edged him for the second and final outright LIV Golf League berth via the Asian Tour International Series Order of Merit last season.

Tabuena said the chance to join LIV Golf as a reserve was one he could not turn down, even without guarantees.

“When I got the call from LIV to be a reserve, I felt that it was an open-door opportunity for me that I didn’t want to pass,” Tabuena told Philstar.com. “There was no guarantee to play, but it was still a chance to be here, one foot in the door.”

That chance has now materialized, as Tabuena has been called up to compete for the 4Aces this week.

“Now that I’ve been called up to join the 4Aces this week, I plan to just give it my best shot,” he said. “Contribute whatever I can. It’s a huge privilege and I pray I can make the most of it.”

From playing alongside Dustin Johnson during his home-soil win last October to joining @4AcesGC_ as a reserve for this week’s @livgolf_league opener.

A special journey for Filipino Miguel Tabuena 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/nB63GgoLXC

— International Series (@intseriesgolf) February 4, 2026

Beyond personal achievement, Tabuena recognizes the broader significance of the moment.

“At the end of the day, it’s an amazing thing for my family and I think for Philippine golf in general,” he added.

Tabuena’s presence in LIV Golf is a product of performance, not invitation. Last year, he finished third in the Asian Tour International Series Rankings, highlighted by a breakthrough victory at the inaugural International Series Philippines. That triumph was pivotal, particularly as he played alongside Johnson during the opening two rounds — a clear demonstration that he could hold his own against elite competition.

He also proved his comfort on Saudi soil, finishing joint 11th at the Saudi International last December, also held at Riyadh Golf Club. These results underscore that his entry into LIV Golf is the culmination of years of hard work, preparation, and consistency.

Tabuena could hardly have landed in a better environment. Alongside Johnson, Thomas Pieters, and Thomas Detry, the 4Aces GC are reigning giants of the league — winners of the inaugural 2022 LIV Golf Team Championship and perennial title contenders. The experience offers Tabuena not just exposure to world-class competition, but also the chance to learn firsthand from some of golf’s elite, under the brightest professional lights.

For Tabuena, who has carried Philippine golf’s banner across the Asian Tour and International Series for more than a decade, this moment represents more than a roster spot. It is the realization of a lifelong dream to compete on the sport’s most elite global stage, against major champions, under the pressure of the world’s eyes.

For Philippine golf, it marks a historic breakthrough — proof that homegrown talent can earn a seat, even if initially temporary, at one of the game’s most exclusive tables. The symbolic impact of Tabuena’s achievement cannot be overstated: it sends a message to aspiring Filipino golfers that world-class competition is attainable through dedication, performance, and perseverance.

Whether this becomes a long-term LIV Golf opportunity or a launching pad to even greater heights, Tabuena has already made history, etching his name as a trailblazer for Philippine golf and elevating the country’s profile on the international stage.

As the opening round unfolds under the lights of Riyadh Golf Club, all eyes will be on Tabuena — not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of Philippine ambition and excellence on one of golf’s biggest platforms.

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