Que, Tabuena move on top

CANLUBANG, Philippines - – Angelo Que flashed his real form yesterday while Miguel Tabuena continued to hit some remarkable shots as they moved on top of the leaderboard after two days of the $300,000 Solaire Open here.

Que, three times a winner at The Country Club, fired the day’s best round of six-under-par 65 and jumped from a share of 18thplace all the way to the top.

“I did well and never got into trouble,” said Que, who had six birdies in a flawless round. At the par-4 18th, his ninth hole for the day, he pitched in for birdie from 15 yards.

The 2008 Philippine Open champion moves to the weekend play as the favorite.

“I will carry the same game plan. Me and my coach always have the same game plan. I just have to remind myself that I can win here. It’s not something I haven’t done before,” said Que.

Que’s solid round served as a fitting gift to his swing coach, Bong Lopez, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.

“There are a lot of very good players here,” he said.

One of them, of course, is the 19-year-old Tabuena, who must have gotten used to contending for the title in the Asian Tour and the Philippine Tour. He might win it all here in this event sponsored by Solaire Resort and Casino and backed by DMCI Homes, BDO, PLDT and Meralco.

After a first-round 67, Tabuena went 68 yesterday. For a while, he had the chance to grab the solo lead when his pitch from 30 yards on the 18th hole almost went in.

“That was for the lead. It came up short of the hole by half an inch. I was waiting for the wind to blow before I got to the ball,” he said.

Tabuena said he birdied all three par-5s for the day – the second, 10th and 14th holes.

“I played in much worse conditions here a month ago and it makes a little easier now,” said Tabuena as he looked back to the TCC Invitational won by Cassius Casas.

“The rough were thicker then. The pins were all Sunday pins. The tees were all the way back.  Saturday (today) is moving day and I think I’m in a good position,” he said.

Casas, once the toast of Philippine golf, was one of those who missed the cut following rounds of 74-74. A total of 69 players made the cut, which was pegged at three-over.

Que and Tabuena stood at 135 while S.S.P. Chowrasia of India was all alone at third at 136 following a 68. Bryce Easton (68) of South Africa and Matthew Griffin (69) of Australia were next at 137.

Tied for sixth at 138 were Sonie Boy Gialon (70) of the Philippines, Richard Lee (70) of Canada and Wang Jeung-hun (67) of Korea.

Sam Brazel of Australia, who shared the opening-day lead with Filipino James Ryan Lam, struggled with a 75 and dropped to 22nd place.

Lam was worse with a 78 and barely made the cut with his 144 total. Frankie MiËœNoza, the good, old champion, had a 70 after a 73 to keep himself in play.

Among the casualties were some of the big names like American Berry Henson (70-76), 2012 Philippine Open winner Mardan Mamat of Singapore (74-72) and last year’s Solaire Open champion Lin Went-tang of Chinese Taipei (70-78).