Tabuena trains sights on 2nd Phl Open title

Despite strong finishes in two Asian Tour events and a runner-up effort in last week’s The Country Club Invitational, Miguel Tabuena still feels the need to get better to bolster his bid for a second Solaire Philippine Open crown in four years.

In fact, the Rio Olympics veteran said he’s going back to the basics and work on his game in anticipation of a tougher, more challenging battle for golfing supremacy in the country’s premier championship which unfolds Feb. 28 at the wind-raked Tom Weiskoph-designed layout.

“My game has to be ready. So I have to go back to the drawing board and play better because that’s (Phl Open) more of an international field,” said Tabuena after falling short of his title-repeat drive at TCC, losing by one to Korean-American Micah Shin.

The 24-year-old former Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion joined the elite roster of Phl Open winners with a victory at Luisita in 2015 when the event was reduced to 54 holes due to weather conditions.

He believes he’s ready for another shot at the crown – via full route – when the $600,000 event, backed by title sponsor Solaire Resort and Casino, is held at the exacting TCC course in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“I’m actually happy overall with my game. I’ve been playing solid,” said Tabuena, who placed eighth in the Singapore Open and ended up tied at 14th in the Myanmar Open last month.

But while he believes he’s got what it takes to get another crack at the Phl Open title, Tabuena stressed the need to be well prepared against a best-assembled field ever to play in the fabled event.