HISTORIC FEAT

Quiban makes U.S. PGA Tour

I could tell by the sound of my parents’ voices that they’re jumping up and down with joy

Justin Raphael Quiban made history on Monday, becoming the first Filipino to qualify for a regular US PGA Tour event following a spectacular run in the back nine at the Victory Links Golf Club in Blaine, Minnesota.

The 25-year-old Filipino, who went to the United States to resume his pro career last April, shot an eagle and five birdies coming home to complete an eight-under par 63 and grab one of four berths to the 3M Open Championship slated Thursday at the nearby TPC Twin Cities.

Quiban, who had to go through prequalifying last week, made his first birdie on the third hole from six feet.

He took a two-stroke penalty after losing the ball on the right side of the fairway on 4, but managed to salvage a bogey.

Quiban reached the turn on 1-under after dropping a 12-foot birdie putt on the fifth hole.

The fireworks started on the 10th when Quiban holed his approach from 82 yards and birdied 12 from six feet.

Birdies came in succession starting on the par-5 14th which he reached in two. He drained a 15-footer on 15 and had a tap in on 16.

Quiban capped his historic round with his seventh birdie that was set up by smashing a 180-yard approach from the rough to within five feet.

Back home, Quiban’s parents were ecstatic.

“I could tell by the sound of my parents’ voices that they’re jumping up and down with joy,” he said.

“I think that’s what makes me the happiest.”

Quiban, who will play in the pro-am event on the eve of the tournament, said he could not get his caddie, fellow pro Joseph Suarez, to fly out of Virginia on Monday.

“I’m stressed out. There’s no flight out of Virginia. Only tomorrow,” he said.

Suarez has been working in Virginia following the cancellation of the men’s tour at home. Quiban joined three others who will see action in the $6.6-million event that features world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Patrick Reed and defending champion Michael Thompson, among others.

Stephen Stallings topped the qualifying on 10-under par 61 followed by Tom Lovelady on 62.

Norman Xong seized the last spot on 64. Sixty-six players took part in the 18-hole qualifying, including 20 who had to go through pre-qualifying last week.

Forty of the participants broke par.