Tabuena fires 65, grabs lead in Yeangder tourney

MANILA, Philippines - With an impeccable game from tee to green, Miguel Tabuena fired a superb seven-under 65 and grabbed a two-shot lead going into the final round of the $500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in Taipei yesterday.

Tied with African Shaun Norris and Indian Khalin Joshi at third in the first round, Tabuena surged past leader Lin Wentang with his explosive second round marked by seven birdies for a two-day 11-under 133.

He had three other birdie chances that lipped out.

The rich event has been reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather that postponed the second round Friday.

“I’m happy with how I hit the ball off the tees. That is very crucial on this course. I feel very confident when I have my driver out. If I drive the ball well then I know I can shoot  low scores,” said Tabuena, winner of four tourneys in the local tour.

“I want vengeance. Hopefully I can get it done,” added Tabuena, runner-up in this tourney last year.

The young Filipino bet gunned down three birdies in the first four holes and sustained the hot pace, picking four more birdies on Nos. 7, 10, 15 and 16 on the way to a two-shot lead over Lin and another local bet Natipong Srithong.

“It is important for me to start strong and I birdied the first hole today. I found the green in two shots and my 12-foot eagle putt lipped out. That birdie gave me the momentum,” said Tabuena.

He’s confident he can get going.

“I know I’m playing well at the moment. I won four times on the local tour. There are a few players behind me including home favorite Lin Wen-tang. But I’m not worried. If he can go low, so can I,” he said.

Lin fired a 68 after a 67 and shared second place with compatriot Natipong Srithong who also carded a 65 in the day.

“If I stick to my game plan and focus on myself and the course, then I can get it done. I’ve proven that four times this year on the local tour,” said Lin.

Norris also shot a 68 and moved down to joint fourth with Niall Turner and Lien Lu-sen at 136.