MANILA, Philippines?The Mercedes Benz Tour makes two stops in the Philippines this year with the Tagaytay Highlands leg on May 22 to 25 drawing some of the region?s finest shotmakers, including recent Philippine Open winner Angelo Que.

Mercedes Benz has thrown in its support to what was formerly known as the ASEAN Tour, which played one of its first events last year at the sprawling Mount Malarayat layout in Lipa City.

Malarayat will host the other Philippine leg, to be known as the ICTSI Malarayat Championship, in July.

Mars Pucay, who won at Malarayat and at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Vietnam last year, Juvic Pagunsan, and a host of other Filipino top guns have confirmed participation in the $50,000 event, which will be the Tour?s second leg for the year.

A stop in Indonesia the week before the Tagaytay event will officially kick off the second season of the Tour. Stops in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia complete the Tour?s 10 legs.

?Cats Motors is proud to be involved in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines,? said Cats chair Gregorio T. Yu at the event?s launch Tuesday. ?We have always believed that Mercedes-Benz and golf fit very well together.

?We are now extremely excited that the involvement of the brand in the region is being taken to the professional level this year through the Mercedes-Benz Tour, with the Philippines being one of the key stops.?

Since only five legs were played last year, the earnings of all players in those events will be carried over this season, with Pucay leading the way with $15,166.

Que gets free use of MB

Que, who claimed the Laguna National ASEAN Championship in Singapore before besting a crack international field at Wack Wack to win the RP Open for the first time earlier this month, is in second place with earnings of $14,084.

He got an unexpected surprise when he attended the press conference on Tuesday to announce details of the Mercedes Benz Tour.

He was summoned to the stage and told that he was being given use of a Mercedes-Benz car whenever he wanted in recognition of his victory at the Philippine Open this month.

"Wow this is a great surprise," said Que, an Asian Tour stalwart.

"I haven't had a car since 2003 but my wife Tracey does."

Officials said Que could visit the car giant's showroom in Quezon City anytime and would be given a vehicle to drive without charge. With an Agence France-Presse report