Tabuena fires 71, climbs to joint 16th in New Delhi

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena primed up for a Top 15 finish in his maiden pro tournament as he shot a one-under 71 to move one rung higher at joint 16th in the third round of the $300,000 SAIL Open in New Delhi, India yesterday.

Tabuena, 16, mixed three birdies against two bogeys in another fine round at the Delhi Golf Club although he missed closing on the top 10 with a couple of flubbed birdie chances.

Still, his 212 aggregate put the Filipino teener within sight of a solid finish though he stood 10 shots behind Siddikur Rahman heading into the last 18 holes of the second leg of the Asian Tour.

Mars Pucay scrambled to salvage an even-par 72, falling into a tie with Tabuena and five others after blowing what appeared to be a fiery round.

In joint 10th at the start of the round, Pucay closed in on the leaders with two birdies on the first six holes to gain a share of eighth. But the former national amateur champion reeled back with a triple-bogey 8 on No. 14 and made a birdie-bogey-birdie windup for that 72.

Rahman birdied three of the last six holes to fire a second straight 67 for a 14-under 212, wresting a two-shot lead over Ajeetesh Sandhu, who had a 68, and Thai ace Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who shot a 69, for 204s.

Indian Manav Jaini shot the day’s best score of eight-under 64 to move up to joint fourth with Japanese Akinori Tani, who made a 70, at 205.