Tabuena joins King’s Cup hunt

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena primes up for next month’s Rio Olympics as he joins the title hunt in the King’s Cup, upbeat of his chances in the $750,000 event at the Phoenix Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand on July 28-31.

Tabuena has enjoyed a stellar run of form over the last seven months and is targeting another grandstand finish.

“I’ll be there (King’s Cup) and ready. I’m really happy with my game so far and I know I have what it takes to compete against the best,” said Tabuena, whose No. 37 spot in the Olympic ranking has assured him a spot in the sport’s return to the Olympics since 1904.

Having won his first Asian Tour title, the Philippine Open, at Luisita last December, the 21-year-old went on to finish tied for fourth and second in Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year.

Tabuena’s other moment of glory then came when he made his dream debut at the US Open after topping the sectional qualifying last month.

“I’ve learnt a lot the last couple of weeks especially at the US Open and I know I’ve the game to be a good golfer,” said Tabuena.

But the young Filipino shotmaker’s King’s Cup title ambitions will be put to test by a strong field that features Major champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa, defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant, Sweden’s Johan Edfors and over 25 Asian Tour winners.

All eyes will also be on Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, Australia’s Scott Barr and Japan’s Shunya Takeyasu as they seek to erase their heartbreak of missing out on their maiden Tour victory in Chinese Taipei last week.

“So close yet so far for me again this week. I did what I had to do but unfortunately not good enough to win.

“It might not be the right time for me to win yet and I just have to work harder. I’ve to remain more positive and confident about myself. I’m sure I’ll be a winner one day,” said Fung.

The King’s Cup is making its return to the Asian Tour schedule after a year’s absence.