Tabuena rules International Series Philippines

SANTA ROSA, Philippines — The golf gods couldn’t have written this storybook triumph any better.

Miguel Tabuena, the face of local golf, basked in glory as the Alpha Male in the uber-tough International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus after playing the best 18 holes of his life yesterday.

And it happened right at home, the Sta. Elena Golf Club, surrounded by his parents Luigi and Lorna, wife Sandra and daughter Paloma, friends, club-mates and hundreds of fans who endured the mid-day heat and late afternoon drizzle to join him in his date with destiny.

Firing a third-straight seven-under 65 spiked by yes, another eagle, his fifth of the tournament, Tabuena completed the greatest triumph of his career and by extension, Philippine golf’s, too, as a whole.

Assembling a 264 after four amazing days highlighted by a rare hole in one on No. 14 in Round 2, Tabuena sealed the deal with a three-shot victory in the $2-million event, besting a stacked field headlined by major champions such as Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed.

This “home victory” was worth $360,000 (over P21 million) for the Rio Olympics veteran. Its value was exponentially larger for the Philippines as a source of immense pride.

“We did it!” were the first words Tabuena said to adoring supporters.

Japanese Kazuko Higa (65) and Yosuki Asaji (65) shared runner-up honors at 267. Chinese Sampson Zheng, who engaged Tabuena in a neck and neck for No. 1, and Thai Sarit Suwannarut, who was in the lead in the first three rounds, finished in joint fourth at 268s following closing 69s.

Tabuena scored his maiden victory in the IS, surpassing his previous best of third at IS Qatar last year. Consequently, this is expected to propel the three-time Asian Tour winner and many-time local champ to No. 2 in the IS rankings, boosting his chance to compete in the elite LIV Golf League.

“It was a goal to win an IS event and I’m really, really glad that it was in the Philippines, in my home country, in my home club, in front of my family, my friends and everyone here supporting me,” said the Pinoy ace, who got down on all fours and punched the ground once after sinking his final ball on the 18th amid thunderous cheers.

In his glorious moment, Tabuena cast a shadow on major winners and PGA Tour titlists.

Six-time PGA Tour winner and 2009 Rookie of the Year Marc Leishman of Australia placed sixth at 269 after a 65 while Charl Schartel of South Africa was 12th at 274, 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters conqueror Johnson was 15th at 275, 2018 Masters winner Reed was 20th at 277.

Justin Quiban joined Reed at 20th to 29th after a closing 70 and banked $19,690 (P1.15 million) while Angelo Que wound up in a tie for 30th at 278 after a final 68.

Tabuena set this bid in motion by shooting birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 and delivering a highlight reel that got the crowd in frenzy – a chip-in that landed on the left slope of the No. 8 green and rolled into the cup for eagle. The usually stoic golfer let out a roar and pump-fisted in a rare show of emotion.

Zheng caught up with the home bet at 20-under with a birdie on No. 10 but Tabuena countered with four of his own heading home to keep the Chinese as well as the charging Japanese in pursuit in the other flights at bay.

“I really didn’t think about the people behind me. I told my team, just to keep the foot on the pedal. You can’t set up, you can’t play defensively or else they will catch you,” he said.

“I’m glad that I was able to trust every shot, every yardage, every read I had out there, to execute everything I needed to do. It was special. I was nervous and excited at the same time but I was also very much at peace out there,” he said.