US golfer leads, Tabuena, Que 2nd
CANLUBANG, Laguna — John Catlin, one of several journeymen trying their luck in the Asian circuit, was the surprise leader of the Solaire Philippine Open after firing a four-underpar 68 in the first round yesterday at The Country Club.
Catlin, 26, still seeking a worthy finish after turning professional three years ago, was two shots up over six players that included Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que, who each shot a twounder-par 70.
Catlin had five birdies to go with one bogey at the refurbished course that was closed for two years in preparation for staging a possible European Tour event in 2018.
With no record of distinction to speak of, Catlin, however, was able to produce perhaps his best career round, bucking strong winds and the difficult putting surface to lead the tournament for the first time after turning pro in 2013.
Asked to describe his round, Catlin said: “It was good.”
A native of Sacramento, Catlin has played five times in the country, most of them in the Asian Development Tour, but admitted that TCC was difficult because of the winds.
“It was very difficult, the wind was tough in the afternoon,” he said and added “To shoot under par is a bonus. Every single putt you should be on point.”
He overtook Tabuena who had enjoyed the clubhouse lead at two-under after finishing early. Also scoring 70 were Steve Newton of England, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-Tang, Japan’s Toru Nakajima and Will Cannon, another American.
Tabuena, one of the favorites after winning the Razon Cup on the same course three weeks ago, had three birdies against one bogey although he felt he could have made a few more birdies at the back nine which he parred all the way.
“I couldn’t make my putts in the back nine,” said Tabuena, the 22-yearold golfer who competed in last year’s Rio Olympics.
Tabuena made birdies on the third, fourth and eighth holes but bogeyed the ninth after he missed the green and failed to go up and down.
His longest par putt was a 15-footer on the fourth which attested to his accurate iron shots.