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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena will realize his dream of playing against global big guns like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day after ruling the rigorous 36-hole US Open sectional qualifiers over two different courses in Daly City, California on Tuesday, June 7, (Monday in the US) with an 11-under par 132.
His performance earns him a ticket to the prestigious US Open tournament, scheduled June 16-19 at the Oakmont Club in Plum, Pennsylvania.
Starting in the morning at the Lake Merced course, Tabuena, 21, opened with a scorching 8-under 64 before capping an unforgettable day with a 3-under 68 at the Olympic Club Ocean Course 3, a former US Open venue, in the afternoon.
He totalled an 11-under 132 over the two courses, securing medal honors, two shots in front of Mark Aguanio, and paced 5 others into booking a ticket to the US Open golf championship’s 121st edition at the par-70, 7,225-yard Oakmont Club.
The only Filipino campaigner in the field, Tabuena, currently No. 3 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, made the most of the easier Lake Merced layout, anchoring his start on the back 9 with an eagle on hole No. 4, a par 5, to go with birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes, good for a 7-under 29.
In a near-flawless display over two courses he played for the first time, the Filipino par-buster mustered two eagles and 10 birdies against two bogeys over 36 holes.
“I told myself that Merced was the easier course and I needed to go low there, which I did,” Tabuena told the USGA website. ” I’m just happy with my rounds. I’m still in shock.
“This will be my first major and I just can’t wait to have fun next week.”
Tabuena’s father, Luigi, said that his son called him up from the US early Monday morning “practically screaming about his accomplishment after the tournament.”
The elder Tabuena revealed that his wife Lorena and some of his son’s cousins were on hand to provide Miguel with moral support and witness his golfing milestone, while his coach, Jaythree Alteha, caddied for him.
“I believe that this is the first time that a Filipino has topped a US Open qualifier, which makes me even prouder,” the elder Tabuena said.
He added that Miguel had received offers to compete in the US Open sectional qualifier for being ranked No. 117 in the world professional golf ratings. “Only the top 150 or 200, I’m not certain, in the world professional rankings are invited to qualify.”
The elder Tabuena also cited golf patron and ICTSI head Enrique Razon, a club member at Lake Merced, in helping his son get a practice round at the course and having the chance to familiarize himself with the layout at the Olympic Club, a former US Open venue.
“We only wanted my Miguel to qualify but we were not expecting that he would do this well in the qualifiers,” the elder Tabuena said, “which is nothing short of miracle.”
He said that his son would skip the next Asian Tour leg this week to focus on his preparations for the US Open. – Rappler.com
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