MANILA, Philippines – Two-time Asian Tour winner Miguel Tabuena flashed a near-impeccable short game he complemented with superb putting as he shot a bogey-free five-under 67 to share the lead with two others at the start of the Taiwan Masters at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club in New Taipei City yesterday.
Tabuena bucked shaky driving by rescuing pars in four times that he went out of regulation and used 27 putts to complete a 32-35 card and grab first-day honors on a course and event where he placed second in 2016.
“I’ve been hitting the ball very solid especially last week but I just didn’t have a good weekend in Japan,” said Tabuena, referring to his forgettable tied for 50th effort in Panasonic Open. “But I know I’m starting to play my best golf so far and it helps a bit that I’ve played well here on numerous occasions.”
Tabuena’s roommate Nicholas Fung of Malaysia missed grabbing the solo lead with a missed green bogey on his closing hole on No. 9 for a 33-34 round while Keith Horne of South Africa salvaged a par on the 18th for a 36-31 card and a three-way tie for the lead in the $900,000 event.