Tabuena cards 67, trails leaders by 2

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena rode on an explosive start to fire a five-under 67 and trail Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul and Javi Colomo of Spain by two strokes at the start of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in Taipei yesterday.

Coming off a missed cut stint but toughened up by his two-day stint with the best in the world in the US Open recently, Tabuena birdied the first four holes in impressive fashion but slowed down with two birdies against a bogey the rest of the way.

But his strong start proved enough to put himself in early contention in the $500,000 event which Tabuena lost via playoff to Thai Prom Meesawat in 2014.

He spiked his fine start with four saved pars.

The long-hitting Tantipokhakul highlighted his 65 with eagles on Nos. 1 and 18 while Colomo rammed in three birdies at the back as they shared a one-shot lead over Pariya Junhasavasdikul, also of Thailand, and Spain’s Carlos Pigem, who both had 66s, while American Casey O’Toole hit six birdies against a bogey to tie Tabuena at fifth.

The 21-year-old Filipino shotmaker is priming up for the Rio Olympics next month after securing a berth with an improved No. 36 ranking. He stood at No. 37 last month, slid 38th last week but moved two rungs higher yesterday heading to the July 11 cut off.