Tabuena lead shrinks to 4 on windy day
Miguel Tabuena. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Howling winds had the crack The Country Club (TCC) Invitational field going through its most brutal test of the week yet on Wednesday, as no one broke par with Miguel Tabuena staying in command despite struggling to a four-over-par 76 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“[It] was tough for myself and I believe for everyone,” said Tabuena, who came off a record 64 built around nine birdies on Tuesday. “But it’s also a regular day at TCC at this time of the year.”
Antonio Lascuña gained some ground after shooting a 74 to now be just four shots behind, even as Clyde Mondilla gutted out a 73 despite three bogeys in his first seven holes, to be another shot adrift and wheel into solid contention going into the money rounds.
“The course was simply angry at us (players),” Mondilla said with a smile. “Everything in your game needs to work just for you to save par.”
Rupert Zaragosa also vaulted into contention after a 74 left him seven behind, still with a mathematical chance heading into the last 36 holes of the P6 million event serving as the kickoff leg of the Philippine Golf Tour.
“I did get off to a shaky start. It wasn’t easy at all, I didn’t hit as many greens as I wanted to,” said Tabuena, who had six bogeys and an eagle from the greenside bunker of the par-5 10th hole. “But I’m pretty happy with the way I fought, pretty happy with my score. I’m in a good spot coming into the last two rounds.”
Defending champion Guido Van der Valk shot himself in the foot with a 77 to be nine shots behind even as South Korea’s Min Seong-kim, who started the day just six shots behind in a tie for second, ballooned to a 79 to be in the company of Van der Valk.
Sean Ramos, the third player who shot a 70 in the opening round, skied to an 84 and is now 14 shots adrift.
Angelo Que, a three-time champion who is one of the pre-tournament favorites, also struggled and shot a 79 to be in the company of Reymon Jaraula (79) and Gerald Rosales, who shot a 76. They are now 12 shots off the pace.
