MANILA, Philippines — Miguel Tabuena turned in a brilliant six-under 65 and forged ahead with two Korean aces halfway through the rich Shinhan Donghae Open of the Asian Tour at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea yesterday.
Tabuena worked his way up from the middle of the pack with a hot start of four birdies in the first six holes, including three straight from No. 4.
Though he stumbled with a bogey on the par-4 No. 8, the ace Filipino shotmaker birdied three of the last six holes at the back to complete a 33-32 card.
Counting his opening 68, Tabuena pooled a 133 as he earned a shared view of the top with first day solo leader Sanghyun Park, who slowed down with a 68 after a 65, and Hyungjoon Lee, who matched Tabuena’s 65.
The troika stood two strokes ahead of Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, who shot a 66 for a 135 in a tie with Thai Thitiphun Chuayprakong, who fired a 67, Aussie Travis Smyth and Korean Byeonghun An, who carded identical 66s, and another local bet Hyunwoo Ryu, who shot a tournament-best 64, laced with five straight birdies from No. 2.