CALIFORNIA: After topping the sectional qualifying in California on Tuesday, rising Filipino star Miguel Tabuena will make a dream debut at the US Open next week.
The 21-year-old Tabuena, currently third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, won by two shots after carding a fine 64 at Lake Merced Golf Club and a 68 at The Olympic Club, Ocean course, for an 11-under-par 132 aggregate, reported The Standard.
“I told myself that Lake Merced would be the easier course and I needed to go low there, which I did,” said Tabuena, who had two eagles, 10 birdies and three bogeys in his two rounds.
“I am just really happy with my rounds. I am still in shock. This will be my first major and I just can’t wait to have fun next week. I am really happy with the way I am playing now,” he reportedly said.
Tabuena’s career has been on the upswing over the last seven months after he won his first Asian Tour title at the Philippine Open presented by ICTSI in December.
Earlier this season, he finished tied fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open and second at the Maybank Championship Malaysia. He is also in the running to represent his country in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August, said the news portal.
Sunghoon Kang of Korea, winner of the 2013 CJ Invitational, will join Tabuena at the U.S. Open at the Oakmont Country Club from June 16 to 19 after claiming the 10th and final ticket at sectional qualifying in Tennessee, reported The Standard.
Tabuena will fly the Asian Tour flag at the year’s second Major alongside reigning Order of Merit winner Anirban Lahiri of India, K.T. Kim of Korea and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who all qualified via the Official World Golf Ranking.
