PH golfer Tabuena falls further behind after round 3

FLAG AND COUNTRY. Miguel Tabuena has not found his form in Rio. Photo by Erik S Lesser/EPA

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena fired a two-over 73 for round 3 on Saturday, August 14 (Sunday Manila time) to fall further out of contention as golf continues at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Tabuena, 21, entered the penultimate day of golf competition at 6-over after two rounds and wasn't able to sink enough birdies (3 on 5, 10 and 11) to compensate for the 5 bogeys, include 3 of the first 4 holes. He was at +8 at the time of this article's publication, good enough for 56th place out of 60. He is now 19 shots behind Great Britain's Justin Rose, who is in first place at 11-under.

Tabuena had been experiencing pain in his right shoulder, he said after the second round. – Rappler.com

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Filipino golfer Angelo Que skipping Rio Olympics, cites concern on zika virus as main reason

THE Philippines will not be having one of its top bets in golf when it participates in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics next month.

Citing the continuous spread of the dreaded zika virus in Brazil, Angelo Que on Monday announced his decision not to push through campaigning for the country in the August 5 to 21 meet.

The 37-year-old Que said concern on his health and family heavily factored on why he’ll no longer travel with the rest of the Philippine contingent in the famous Brazilian metropolis

“There are many factors that have contributed on my decision to withdraw from the event. The biggest reason of all is my concern on the zika virus,” the Filipino golfer said in an official statement made through his management team.

“I have put a lot of thought on this and I believe I am making the right decision. The health of my family will always come first. With that said, I cannot put myself at risk.”

Que was the latest golfer to withdraw from the Olympics owing to the zika virus. The top four players in the world namely, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy already withdrew from competing in the Summer Games for the very same reason.

In a statement, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said it respect the decision of Que especially if it concerns his health and family.

“It’s something we need to respect because if there are athletes who want to be in the Olympics its them,” said POC vice president Joey Romasanta, who is also the country’s Chef De Mission to the Rio Games.

“Once you cite family and health reasons, we must accept and respect it. I’m sure he thought of it seriously and lengthily, so we need to respect his decision.”

Source: Gerard Ramos of Spin.ph

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Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena qualifies for US Open

Miguel Tabuena, ranked 117 in the world, will compete against Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Justin Day after ruling the qualifier

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena will realize his dream of playing against global big guns like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Justin Day after ruling the rigorous 36-hole US Open sectional qualifiers over two different courses in Daly City, California on Tuesday, June 7, (Monday in the US) with an 11-under par 132.

His performance earns him a ticket to the prestigious US Open tournament, scheduled June 16-19 at the Oakmont Club in Plum, Pennsylvania.

Starting in the morning at the Lake Merced course, Tabuena, 21, opened with a scorching 8-under 64 before capping an unforgettable day with a 3-under 68 at the Olympic Club Ocean Course 3, a former US Open venue, in the afternoon.

He totalled an 11-under 132 over the two courses, securing medal honors, two shots in front of Mark Aguanio, and paced 5 others into booking a ticket to the US Open golf championship’s 121st edition at the par-70, 7,225-yard Oakmont Club.

The only Filipino campaigner in the field, Tabuena, currently No. 3 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, made the most of the easier Lake Merced layout, anchoring his start on the back 9 with an eagle on hole No. 4, a par 5, to go with birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes, good for a 7-under 29.

In a near-flawless display over two courses he played for the first time, the Filipino par-buster mustered two eagles and 10 birdies against two bogeys over 36 holes.

“I told myself that Merced was the easier course and I needed to go low there, which I did,” Tabuena told the USGA website. ” I’m just happy with my rounds. I’m still in shock.

“This will be my first major and I just can’t wait to have fun next week.”

Tabuena’s father, Luigi, said that his son called him up from the US early Monday morning “practically screaming about his accomplishment after the tournament.”

The elder Tabuena revealed that his wife Lorena and some of his son’s cousins were on hand to provide Miguel with moral support and witness his golfing milestone, while his coach, Jaythree Alteha, caddied for him.

“I believe that this is the first time that a Filipino has topped a US Open qualifier, which makes me even prouder,” the elder Tabuena said.

He added that Miguel had received offers to compete in the US Open sectional qualifier for being ranked No. 117 in the world professional golf ratings. “Only the top 150 or 200, I’m not certain, in the world professional rankings are invited to qualify.”

The elder Tabuena also cited golf patron and ICTSI head Enrique Razon, a club member at Lake Merced, in helping his son get a practice round at the course and having the chance to familiarize himself with the layout at the Olympic Club, a former US Open venue.

“We only wanted my Miguel to qualify but we were not expecting that he would do this well in the qualifiers,” the elder Tabuena said, “which is nothing short of miracle.”

He said that his son would skip the next Asian Tour leg this week to focus on his preparations for the US Open. – Rappler.com

Source: Manolo Pedralvez - Rappler

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Impressive Asian Tour finish moves Miguel Tabuena into qualifying places for Rio Olympics

PICTURE multiple major winners led by Jordan Spieth gunning for birdies and a gold medal on the same course as Miguel Tabuena.

If the Rio Games tournament teed off now, the world No. 1 Spieth and Philippine No. 1 Tabuena would be walking the same fairways on the controversial Reserva de Marapendi, competing for the first Olympic golf medals to be staked in 112 years.

Tabuena has risen to 210th in the world rankings and 48th on the Olympic eligibility list after ruling the Asian Tour’s season-ending Philippine Open.

Asian Tour veteran Angelo Que is also still in the running at 50th.

The Filipino golfers, however, still need to play well in tournaments offering world ranking points because the cutoff is still a few months away on July 11.

The Olympic field is limited to 60 players, including the top-15 world-ranked players with a limit of four players from a given country.

Tony Lascuna got into the list in the middle of last year but struggled in the latter part of the season and has slipped to 379th in the world.

That list of qualifiers now has American players Spieth, No. 4 Bubba Watson, sixth-ranked Rickie Fowler and No. 8 Dustin Johnson.

Jennifer Rosales has also stayed in the list for the women’s tournament, although she has slipped to 58th from 57th last year.

Source: Spin.ph

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Superal falters as Philippines settles for runner-up finish in Queen Sirikit Cup

HONG KONG – Princess Superal and Yuka Saso wavered at the finish and carded identical 73s but the Philippines still took runner-up honors in the Queen Sirikit Cup topped by powerhouse South Korea in runaway fashion at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course here Friday.

Superal, who rebounded from an opening 73 in rain-suspended first round with a 69 Thursday, lost her momentum after a birdie-birdie binge from No. 11 as she missed the greens on Nos. 15 and 18 for bogeys and flubbed a five-foot birdie putt on the 16th for a 36-37 card.

After a 79 and 77 in the first two rounds, Saso went two-under after 16 holes but three-putted the par-3 17th and made a double-bogey on the 18th after a poor bunker shot that dropped her ball back to the trap.

Still, those 73s and a 146 proved enough for Team Phl to snatch second at 436 as the Pinay golfers edged erstwhile joint second running Japan and host Hong Kong, which floundered with 148 and 151, respectively.

Pauline del Rosario, who backed Superal’s 73 and 69 with two 74s in the first two days, skied to a 78 and didn’t count.

Korea, which beat China by six in Malaysia last year and dominated the premier Asia-Pacific ladies team event from 2007-2012, posted a more impressive record this year, assembling a 54-total of 422 after a 141, 14 shots ahead of the Philippines, whose campaign was sanctioned by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP) and sponsored by ICTSI.

Superal, tied for second in individual play and just two strokes behind Park Hyun Kyung after two rounds, moved to within one off the Korean ace after birdying Nos. 11 and 12.

But the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet’s late bogeys doomed her chances to clinch solo second as she dropped to third with a 215.

Park also ran away with the individual crown with a 69 and a 209 while teammate Jang Eun Soo pounced on Superal’s foldup and completed a 1-2 finish by the Koreans with a 213 after a 72.

Source: Spin.ph

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Princess Superal tows Philippines from sixth to joint second in Hong Kong

PRINCESS Superal shot a three-under 69 as Team Philippines rose from joint sixth to a share of second behind Korea on Thursday in the second round of the Queen Sirikit Cup at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course in Fanling in Hong Kong.

Pauline del Rosario fired a 74 as the Philippines came up with a 143 for a two-day total of 290, matching Japan and Hong Kong.

South Korea is firmly on top at 281 after a second-round 141, with Park Hyun Kyung firing a 70. Jang Eun Soo and Lee Joung Eun scored identical one-under 71s.

The weather improved from the rain suspended first round but the compact field had to gut it out at completion of play early morning and in the second round as the wind blew from all over and players struggled with club selection.

Only six from the 39 players broke par, with Superal turning in the second-best round.

Yuka Saso shot a 77 in the three-to-play, two-to-count format event also known as the Asia-Pacific Ladies Team Golf Championship.

Superal, who shot a first-round 73, also moved to within two shots of Park at 142 in the race for the individual championship although Jang and Lee are in joint second at 141.

“I could’ve shot lower but missed two birdie putts from close range,” said Superal. “But it’s a good score given the wind condition. I’ll just try to play better tomorrow and hope for the best.”

Minami Hiruta shot the day’s best 67 as Japan came up with a 142.

Hong Kong, which had a 139 in the opening round, struggled to a 151.

Australia had a 144 for a 291, while Thailand hobbled with a 150 for a 294 followed by Indonesia (149-295), New Zealand (151-296), Chinese-Taipei (146-298), China (150-298), India (151-298), Malaysia (154-302) and Singapore (147-303).

Source: Spin.ph

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Team Phl kicks off Sirikit title drive

MANILA, Philippines - Team Philippines drew a late tee-time but hopes to come up with a fast start for the needed momentum and confidence as they open their bid in the 37th Queen Sirikit Cup today at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course in Fanling.

A series of tournaments leading to this week’s competition has toughened up and primed up Princess Superal, Pauline del Rosario and Yuka Saso for the big event with the troika trying to end the country’s long quest for the Asia-Pacific Ladies golf team championship that has eluded it for years.

Dottie Ardina, now campaigning in the Symetra Tour in the US, nearly anchored Team Phl to the coveted crown when she ruled the individual competition in 2011 in New Delhi but failed to draw the needed back-up from Chihiro Ikeda and Jayvie Agojo as they fell short by four to the powerhouse Korean side and settled for second.

But coach Bong Lopez is upbeat of his wards’ chances although he stressed the need to come up with a solid start and at least match the expected early surge of title favorites South Korea and Australia.

“The girls are confident and in high spirits. But they need a strong start given the depth of the competing field,” said Lopez, also the man at the helm of the ICTSI-The Country Club amateur golf program.

Superal, who has won four tournaments the last three months, will start at 9:45 a.m. with New Zealand’s Julianne Alvarez and Singapore’s Sock Hwee Koh, hoping to put together a solid game and provide the spark for the squad sent here by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines and chief backer International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

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Del Rosario, also in top form coming off a victory in Malaysia last month, will play along Kiwi Wenyung Keh and Singapore’s Jen Goh at 9:55 a.m. while Saso drew Munchin Keh of New Zealand and Amanda Tan of Singapore in the last flight at 10:05 a.m. when playing condition at the tight layout is expected to get tougher and more challenging.

Thailand, the country’s perennial regional rival, is also tipped to contend for this year’s crown together with Japan and China. The Thais drew the Aussies and Chinese in the featured group while Korea and Japan are paired with Malaysia.

Source: The Philippine Star

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SEAG-bound

CEBU’s junior golf standout Weiwei Gao has made the four-man golf team that will represent the country in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on June 5 to 16 in Singapore.

The 15-year-old jungolf ace of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club (AVGCC) is the lone golfer from Cebu and the first from AVGCC to compete in the SEA Games.

Gao earned the slot after a superb performance in the 2015 SEA Games qualifiers held by the National Golf Association of the Philippines last March 7 to 8 at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club and on March 19 to 22 at the Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club.

Gao finished the qualifying tournament at second, firing 599 over eight days for an average of 73. Gao totaled 438 on his six best rounds, four shots behind the champion Rupert Zaragoza III of Manila.

Gao and Zaragoza III will be joined by Luzon golfers Ancieto Mandanas and Dan Emilio Cruz.
 

Mandanas had 445 total on his best six rounds with an average of two-over-par 74.1, while Cruz fired 447 and had an average of 74.5 in the qualifying round.
 

AVGCC general manager Nimrod Quiñones said that Gao has been in the club’s junior golf program since he was six years old.

“We are very proud of Weiwei (Gao) and his achievements. He is one proof that with a proper junior program, we can contribute players for international competitions and hopefully, be one of the future pros,” said Quiñones.

He added that the parents of Gao have been very supportive and credited the tournaments they joined here and abroad as a factor in his improvement.

Gao played in the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships set on April 14-17 at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite.

He was scheduled to compete with some of the country’s top players in the amateur ranks like Zaragoza III, Justin Quiban, Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevalo, Dan Cruz, Jelbert Gamolo, Lanz Uy, and Ryan Monsalve.

According to Quinoñes, the Philippines is one of the top countries in the golf competition in the SEA Games and has won gold medals in team and individual events several times. 

Source: Sun.Star Cebu 
Image: fullpointcebu.com

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Golf at the 2015 SEA Games

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