PH golfer Miguel Tabuena tied for 42nd after first round in Rio

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena started hot but couldn’t sustain his quick start, finishing 2-over 73 after 18 holes on Thursday, August 11 (Friday Manila time) in the opening round of the men’s golf tournament at the Rio Olympics.

Tabuena, 21, is tied for 42nd out of 60 competitors, 4 strokes out from a 6-way tie for 11th and 10 off the leader Marcus Fraser of Australia after the first round of golf in the sport’s return to the Olympics following a 112-year absence.

Tabuena, who played his first major at the US Open this past June, was at one point tied for 7th at 2-under as top US golfers Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler struggled to get out of the gates. Tabuena is credited with a drive distance of 257.5m, while swinging an 84.62% drive accuracy, which calculates the percentage of shots a golfer hits on the fairways.

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Prior to teeing off, the PGA 146th ranked Tabuena tweeted that he would do his best as one of the 13 athletes representing the Philippines at the 2016 Olympics.

“Whatever the outcome, I’m giving my all for my God and my country. Praying I bring the Philippines the pride it deserves.”

Whatever the outcome, I’m giving my all for my God and my country. Praying I bring the Philippines the pride it deserves. #dyosatbayan

— Miguel Luis Tabuena (@miguelltabuena) August 11, 2016

Round two tees off at 6:30 pm Friday Manila time.

The 4 other Filipino Olympians left to see action are marathoner Mary Joy Tabal on August 14; long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang and 400m hurdler Eric Cray on August 16; and taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora on August 20, the penultimate day of competition. – Rappler.com