Tabuena upbeat of US Open debut

MANILA, Philippines –  Miguel Tabuena sets out for his first US Open stint at mid-noon Thursday (Friday in Manila) with Englishman Lee Slattery and a still unnamed player, hopeful of a good start at one of the toughest courses ever to host the world’s second major championship.

Five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson recently said the elite field is up for a big challenge, not just among themselves but against the par-70 Oakmont Club in Plum, Pennsylvania, which doesn’t require the pros to hit a lot much of the drivers but 3-woods or hybrids.

“I’ve played Oakmont the last two weeks and I really think it is the hardest golf course we’ve ever played,” said Mickelson, who finished second six times in the event.

Former world No. 1 Jordan Spieth also described Oakmont as “potentially the hardest test of golf.”

Argentine Angel Cabrera reigned at Oakmont when the US Open was last held in 2007, scoring a five-over 285 total.

But with a good run of form and the exuberance of the youth, the 21-year-old Tabuena is upbeat of his upcoming Major debut.

“I’m not afraid to make mistakes…when my putting clicks, I can really go low because I’m not afraid to take up my driver.

 As long as I’m hitting well on my driver and I’m putting well, I know I can shoot low, that’s one of my biggest keys in playing good golf,” said Tabuena, who clinched a dream spot in the Open by topping the Sectional Qualifying in California last Tuesday.

He pooled an impressive 11-under 132 to top the 100-player field in the 36-hole elims.

“Game-wise, I’m mentally ready to compete with the big guns,” said Tabuena. “But I think I’m still a long way to go in terms of decision-making in crucial parts of my game and these will be better through time and experience,” he said.

Tabuena’s group will tee-off at 12:30 p.m. on No. 10 although the troika will start first at 6:45 a.m. on the first hole in the second round.

 In the featured opening day threesome, Fil-Aussie world No. 1 Jason Day is paired with fellow Major winners Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Adam Scott of Australia at 2:20 p.m. while Spieth is paired with fellow Americans Zach Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau on No. 10 at 8:35 a.m.

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy kicks off his bid at 8:24 a.m. on No. 1 with this year’s Masters champion Danny Willett of England and  and Americna Rickie Fowler.