Shin in command heading to TCC final round

STA. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines — Micah Shin proved once more why patience and resilience are priceless at The Country Club.

On a course kept in pristine condition year-round, Shin authored another commanding performance, turning back a mid-round challenge to seize control heading into the final day of the P6.5 million championship honoring ICTSI founder Don Pocholo Razon.

After seeing a once-commanding lead evaporate amid a flurry of charges, he birdied four of the first six holes on the back nine, reasserting dominance and stretching his lead to four strokes despite a steady 72 for a 214 total.

Carl Corpus briefly surged to the forefront with an eagle on the par-5 10th for a running two-under card, while multiple players crowded into a five-way tussle.

But Shin, unfazed by the heat, swirling winds and rising pressure, leaned on crisp driving, precise iron play and steady putting to dominate the course’s exacting finishing holes.

The performance revived memories of Shin’s breakthrough victory at TCC in 2018, when he denied Miguel Tabuena a back-to-back title. Now, eight years later, the rivalry has been renewed – with a fresh narrative.

Tabuena, the 2017 champion, mounted a gritty charge of his own to secure solo second at 218 after a second straight 73. Shaking off an uncharacteristic front-nine 40, he rallied with a solid 33 at the back.