Teen golfer Tabuena determined to chase Asian Tour card dream

Miguel Tabuena will try to erase the bad memory of narrowly missing the cut in last year's Order of Merit as he guns for his maiden Asian Tour victory in next week's 96th ICTSI Philippine Open at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Tabuena, the 17-year-old Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) product, lost the chance of gaining a regular card this year by just $250. His missed cut at the Thailand Golf Championship compounded his woes further.

Tabuena, beginning February 9, will be reviving his Asian Tour bid. He'll be one of the 30 Filipinos competing in Asia's oldest and prestigious national championship at Wack Wack's fabled East course, the Philippine Open's original home.

"It was all part of the growing up process. I'm glad that it happened early in my career. I have plenty of time to adjust to the demands of the Asian Tour circuit," said Tabuena, who last played in the PGA Tour's Sony Open last month.

Tabuena is determined to do better this time after missing the Sony Open's weekend rounds. "I was really pressured in the Philippine Open (last season) but now that I have more experience I can put that into play. It is nice to play your national open as one of the first events of the year but hopefully we are in top shape to compete for the title. It is hard to compete at home because people expect you to do well. I want to go out there and try my best,” he said.

 

Other top local stars who will be in the field include former Philippine champions Frankie Minoza, Angelo Que, Elmer Salvador and Gerald Rosales. 

Jay Bayron, last year's runner-up and who recently secured his Asian Tour card from the Qualifying School, will be back to avenge his defeat to American Berry Henson, who is returning for his title defense.  

"A stroke separated me and Henson, it was heart-breaking indeed. Now, I have to chance to prove myself again," Bayron said. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News