MANILA, Philippines -- After working on getting Asia's oldest national championship rebooted this year, the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines didn't leave no stones unturned in trying to have the country's best players see action and keep the Smart Infinity Philippine Open title on home soil.

An invite was sent out to rising US PGA Tour star Rico Hoey, there were also ones sent out to Japan Tour mainstays Juvic Pagunsan and Justin delos Santos and also to lady amateur Rianne Malixi and two-time US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso.