Miñoza, Tabuena joint 39th

MANILA, Philippines - Frankie Miñoza hobbled with a five-over 77 and wound up in joint 39th with teener Miguel Tabuena and four others in the Thailand Golf Championship ruled by world No. 3 Lee Westwood in Chonburi, Thailand.

Miñoza never recovered from a 74 in the third and final round Saturday and a three-bogey mishap in the first four holes yesterday, finishing with 38-39 and a 292 to close out the season he highlighted with a late victory at ICTSI Wack Wack Championship recently.

Tabuena, hoping for a solid finish to keep his Asian Tour card next season, failed to sustain a decent 72 Saturday as he lost his rhythm in a challenging day, limping with a 40 for a 76 and a 292.

Mars Pucay and Tony Lascuna, the two other Filipinos who made the cut Friday, placed joint 65th with 299s after identical 79s.

Westwood rebounded from a woeful 73 in the third with a three-under 69 for a 266 to coast to a seven-shot victory over Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who threatened within four with a 66 Saturday but could only shoot a 72 for a 273.

Michael Thompson shot a 70 to finish third at 274 in the $1 million season-ending tournament of the Asian Tour topped by Order of Merit champion Juvic Pagunsan.