Birdie-binge puts Tabuena in hunt after 65 in Malaysian Open

MANILA, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena endured a scrambling finish to save a brilliant backside start, shooting a six-under 65 and pulling within two off clubhouse leader Kevin Yuan halfway through the Malaysian Open at the Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan Friday.

Tabuena briefly seized a share of the lead at 11-under with a six-under par card at the backnine of the par-71 layout, highlighted by a stirring five-birdie splurge from No. 11. But he bogeyed the first hole, birdied the third, dropped another stroke on No. 5 but holed out with another birdie on the ninth to fashion out a 35-30.

With an 131 total, Tabuena trailed Yuan by just two strokes at joint third as the Aussie waxed hot coming off a two-under 33 at the front, rattling off five birdies in the last nine holes to card a 64 and wrest control at 13-under 129 with half of the field still to complete play in the second round of the $1 million event ushering in the new Asian Tour season.

Tabuena, who opened his campaign, supported by ICTSI, with a 66 Thursday on a 28-putt performance, putted just 23 times in the second day, including 11 at the backside. He missed just two fairways but struggled going to the greens, reaching regulation just 11 times.

Angelo Que also sustained his first round 67 with four birdies in the first 11 holes. But the three-time Asian Tour champion failed to get up-and-down at the par-3 16th and closed out with a birdie-bogey card for a 68 and a provisional share of 18th at seven-under 135, six strokes off the pace.

Justin Quiban, who shone with a first-round 65, experienced a stark contrast in his second round play. Struggling on the back nine with a four-over 40, marred by a quadruple bogey on the par-3 No. 16.

He shot two birdies at the front but made two bogeys as he wound up with a 75 and tumbled from sixth place to joint 77th at 140, one stroke below the projected cutoff score.

Quiban actually birdied the 11th but bogeyed two of the next four holes on missed green mishaps. But it was his “7” on No. 16 that all but ruined his chances, even for a spot in the weekend play, although he birdied the 17th to at least make up for the blunder.

He gained another stroke on the third, dropped a shot on No. 5, birdied the next but bogeyed the eighth for a 75.

Meantime, Yuan took a one-shot lead over American John Catlin, who posted a second straight 65 for a 130 while Guntaek Koh of Korea and England’s Steve Lewton fired a 65 and 66, respectively, to join Tabuena at third.

First day co-leaders Jazz Janewattananond had a two-under card after two holes while India’s Veer Ahlawat parred the first three holes at the back at presstime.