Tabuena fires 8-under 64, joins Indian at helm
Miguel Tabuena was at his best yesterday, turning in an eight-under-par 64 for a share of the lead after three rounds of the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters at the Manila Southwoods.
The 23-year-old Tabuena will go into the final round of the richest golf tournament in the Philippines tied with India’s Jyoti Randhawa, who carded a 67. They share the lead at 201, which is 15-under for the tournament.
Tabuena has played steadily the past three days with rounds of 68 and 69 prior to yesterday’s 64. He had birdies here and there, a total of eight in a bogey-free round.
After the second round, Tabuena felt there’s more to give, and headed straight to the driving range. The extra he put in served him well.
He said he was looking at a winning score of at least 18-under for the tournament.
Tabuena, seeking his second title on the Asian Tour, is right on track entering the final 18 holes of the event, which is now on its fifth and final year.
If successful, Tabuena will become the first Filipino to win the Resorts World Manila Masters after Lian Wen-chong of Taipei in 2013, Mardan Mamat of Singapore in 2014, Natipong Srithong of Thailand in 2016 and S.S.P. Chawrasia of India last year.
Randhawa fired birdies for his 67, which came after a secondround 64.
Tied at 202 and just a shot behind the two leaders were Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul, who bested everybody else with his 63, Micah Shin of the United States (66), Justin Quiban of the Philippines (70) and another Thai, Arnond Vongvanij (70).
At 203 and making today’s final round exciting to watch were three players, including the defending champion, who shot a 69, Jarin Todd of the US (69) and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand (71).