Tabuena edges Que

Fires Closing 65, Wins Aboitiz Invit’l BY 1

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena banged in a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on the 71st hole to get a breather on a day-long grinding duel with Angelo Que marked by birdie binges at the Legends course of Manila Southwoods yesterday.

Tabuena canned in the putt en route to a seven-under 65 to win the Aboitiz Invitational by one shot over the veteran Que, who lost momentum in the duel by finding the pond on his tee shot on the par-3 16th.

The Rio Olympian overtook Que, the third round leader, who finished with a  67, by birdying two of the last six holes on the front nine, only to give up the lead to the former with four holes to play.

Que fought back with birdies on Nos. 10, 11, 13 and 14 to regain his one-shot lead, settting up a tight and exciting finish with Tabuena in this inaugural leg of the PGT Asia Tour.

But on the 185-yard par-3 hole No. 16, the 38-year-old Que had a double-bogey. Instead of a six-iron, he pulled out a seven-iron and hit it left onto the pond guarding the green.

Tabuena had an easy par and again found himself up by one. It was on the 17th, a 610-yard par-5 hole, where he virtually won the tournament with that critical birdie putt.

Refusing to give up, Que sent his third shot from 110 yards just inches right of the cup and tapped in for birdie, putting a load of pressure on Tabuena, who nailed the putt and earned the cushion he needed, a one-stroke lead over Que heading to the 18th hole.

Tabuena and Que both parred the final hole, and shook hands after Tabuena tapped it in and sealed the victory under the bright noontime sun.

With his 65, Tabuena finished the tournament at 23-under 265, followed by Que who had a 67 for a 266. Indonesia’s Ian Andrew was on the championship flight and watched the fierce battle between the two Filipinos.

Andrew holed out for a 71 and a 271 total.

Tabuena said it was his pressure-packed putt on the 17th that won him his third title on local soil this year after an impressive win at Luisita last March in one of the Philippine Golf Tour legs and the TCC Invitational.

“That was crucial. I think I won the tournament on that hole. I knew I was putting well but I wasn’t sure if I could make that putt,” said Tabuena who earned a net purse of $14,000 for the victory.

“Wala tayo magawa. Kasama sa golf yan (There’s nothing we can do. That’s part of golf),” said Que outside the 18th green, ruing his costly double-bogey on the 16th.

But the three-time Asian Tour winner still managed a smile, greeting his wife, Tracy, and a handful of his supporters as he headed to the clubhouse.

Que went home with $9,200.