Tarlac, Philippines: Officials of the Philippine Open presented by ICTSI were forced to postpone the opening round of the Asian Tour event to Friday due to inclement weather.

The US$300,000 Asian Tour event, which was scheduled to start on Thursday, has also been reduced to 54 holes due to persistent rain caused by Typhoon Melor which hit central Philippines on Tuesday.

Asian Tour Tournament Director Wanchai Meechai said: “Typhoon Melor did not make landfall at the Luisita Golf and Country Club which is located about a two-hour drive from Manila but heavy rainfall has forced us to postpone the start of the event and reduce it to three rounds.”

Officials announced the decision at 3pm on Wednesday, as continuous rainfall is expected until Thursday.

“The decision was made in the best interest of the tournament and our Asian Tour members,” said Wanchai.

The Philippine Open presented by ICTSI is the final event on the 2015 Asian Tour season. Marcus Both of Australia will defend his title against an elite field consisting of two Order of Merit champions and no fewer than 15 Asian Tour winners.