Splendido Classic: Tabuena shoots course record 66 to nail 1st career win

Sophomore pro Miguel Tabuena used an eagle-aided six-under-par 66—a course record—in the final round to rally past Ferdinand Aunzo and nail his first career win in the P1-million ICTSI Splendido Classic held at the scenic Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club in Tagaytay City. Tabuena, who trailed by four, quickly went three-under in three holes after a birdie-eagle-par stint to move into title contention. He drilled two birdies at the back nine for that solid output and a 209 aggregate to hoist the crown, worth P200,000, after 18 tries. Apart from the money, the 17-year-old Tabuena, one of the Asian Tour's top rookies in 2011, was more delighted with the victory. The closest he got to the top podium was a fourth place finish at the Taiwan Masters last year that earned him P1.2-million, his biggest paycheck. "It may be unknown to many but I always give 100 percent effort in every tournament. This week, I was blessed with the opportunity so I gave it my best," said Tabuena as he showed that he can be at par with the best pros in the ongoing ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour circuit. Two-day leader Aunzo, winless for more than two years now at the ICTSI-PGT, crumbled to pressure with a of bogey-bogey-par-double bogey trip homeward. He maintained the lead with a 34 at the turn and, although Tabuena moved within one with a birdie on No. 10, he birdied No. 14 to regain a two-stroke lead. But Aunzo bogeyed the next two holes, enabling Tabuena to tie and eventually take the lead with a closing six-foot birdie off a superb 59-degree third shot on the par-5 18th.  Facing a must-birdie finish to force a playoff, Aunzo mishit his drive into a hazard and then struggled to reach the green in five for a 7 for a one-over-par 73 for a 212 total. He pocketed P120,000. Antonio Lascuna, three down at the start of the final round, evened out with three birdies against three bogeys for a 72, finishing solo third on 214 and P65,000. Elmer Saban shot a 71 for solo fourth at 215 and took home P50,000 while Charles Hong shot a 69 to tie Jhonnel Ababa, who fumbled with a 74, at fifth at 217. Frankie Miñoza, winner of the tour's final leg at Wack Wack last season, rallied with a 33 for a 72 and a 218 for seventh followed by Peter Villaber (72-219), Juvic Pagunsan (77-220), Orlan Sumcad (71-220), Marvin Dumandan (76-221) and Richard Sinfuego (71-221). — Adrian Flores/JVP GMA News