Tabuena chalks up epic win in Philippine Open

TARLAC, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena returned to the site of one of his most memorable triumphs on the local tour and surpassed it with an even bigger victory – the prestigious 98th Philippine Open presented by ICTSI.

The 21-year-old Tabuena birdied five of the last nine holes to set the tone for a one-stroke victory over Australian Scott Barr and secure his breakthrough title on the Asian Tour.

“This is my first Asian Tour title and I’m very glad it’s the Philippine Open. It means a lot if you win in your own National Open. I’m really happy that my name will be on this prestigious trophy alongside the legends of Asian golf,” said Tabuena, also the first Filipino to win the country’s premier championship since Angelo Que in 2008, as he hoisted the trophy.

Tabuena, who suffered from flu just at the start of the $300,000 event sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., achieved the milestone three months after setting the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Luisita Golf and Country Club with a blazing winning score of under-22 on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour where he honed his talent and skills.

“I just felt comfortable since I already won here. I felt there’s an extra edge because of my past experience here,” said the 21-year-old ace, who pocketed the top purse of $54,000 (P2.5 million).

Tabuena, who was two shots off the pace entering the final round, closed out with a six-under-par 66 to carve a winning 14-under 202 in the tournament that was cut short to 54 holes due to stormy weather this week.

“I gave myself a goal at the start of the day which was to shoot a 66 or lower. There are a lot of birdie chances and people can make a move. I was one-under after the turn and I thought I lost some ground. I was two shots back after the turn and I knew I needed to go all out, with guns blazing while playing it smart still,” said Tabuena, who also contended but faltered in the final round in the 2012 Phl Open won by Mardan Mamat.

The reigning PGT Order of Merit ruler stormed ahead with a birdie on No. 14 in second-to-last flight, grabbing a one-shot lead over Barr, who was in the championship group. He was one-up going to the last two holes and Tabuena knew the par-3 No. 17 would make or break his bid.

“It’s the hardest hole here. If I hit the green, I’d be alright. I hit it and made par,” he said.

In contrast, Barr hit an errant tee-shot into the hazard and ended up with a bogey. He needed to close out with an eagle to force a playoff but settled for a birdie for a 68 and second at 203 worth $33,000 in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT, Metro Pacific, Amon Trading, Central Azucarera de Tarlac and Ayala Land, Inc. with San Miguel Corp., Suntrust Properties and Sta. Lucia as hole sponsors.

“I couldn’t hole any putts for 14 holes. Once I did, it was game on and I holed my share. I did what I needed to do but it is a shame to finish one short. This week is a huge positive. I didn’t know what the other players were shooting,” said Barr, whose eagle on No. 9 put him into contention. “I set very low expectations coming into the week but it is great that I’ve secured my card.” 

The victory opened big doors for Tabuena, who looks forward to bigger and richer events next year, including the $3 million Malaysian Open in February. Tabuena also boosted his shot at netting one of two berths for the Philippines in the Olympics.

Indian Himmat Rai, who sizzled with a nine-under 63, and Thai Chinnarat Phadungsil, who carded a 67, took third and fourth with identical 204s.

After holding pole position the past two rounds, Canadian Lindsay Renolds lost his touch and stumbled with a one-over par 73. The final day meltdown put Renolds in a bunch sharing 10th to 15th with 207.

Tabuena’s first Phl Open victory also served as a fitting ending to a banner campaign in the year about to end that saw him clinch the Order of Merit title of the local circuit with four victories, including the kickoff leg at Splendido.

Korean Seukhyun Baek also rallied with a 66 to finish tied for fifth at 206 with Englishman Simon Griffiths, who shot a 68, and Korean Jeunghun Wang, Ireland’s Niall Turner and South African Keith Horne, who both had 69s, while Renolds double-bogeyed No. 15 and hobbled with a 73 to drop to a share of 10th at 207.

Other nine-under total scorers were Finland’s Kalle Samooja and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, who carded identical 71s, Khalin Johsi, also of India, who turned in a 70, Korean Charlie Wi, who fired a 68, and Taiwanese Lu Wei-chih, who struck back with a 67.

Charles Hong, who also won here at Luisita last May, emerged as the next best Filipino finisher at joint 16th at 208 after a 69 while former three-time PGT Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña saved his best for last and shot a bogey-less 65 to salvage a share of 18th at 209.