Tabuena 2 off Singaporean in Taifong Open

CHANG HWA, Chinese Taipei— Miguel Tabuena shot a 2-under-par 70 Friday to trail Singaporean leader Choo Tze Huang by two strokes after the first round of the $160,000 Taifong Open.

Tabuena, who started on the back nine, had it at 3 under with four holes left but a bogey on No. 7 tied him for fourth with Taiwanese amateur Lee Chieh-po.

The tournament has been reduced to 54 holes after bad weather caused by Typhoon “Matmo” hit Chinese Taipei on Wednesday.

Angelo Que double bogeyed No. 6 in his closing nine and settled for an even 72 in this Asian Development Tour event that stakes the biggest pot this season.

Jay Bayron, the 2012 ADT Order of Merit champion, carded a 73 like Mars Pucay while Rufino Bayron was in danger of missing the halfway cut with a 75.

gunned down seven birdies to cushion three bogeys for a 68 and a one-stroke lead over Taiwanese Yeh Wei-tze and Liu Wen-ko at the Taifong Golf Club.

Officials came to a decision Wednesday to reschedule the opening round to Friday to ensure that the course is in playable condition.

“Due to the adverse weather conditions caused by Typhoon   Matmo which lashed Taiwan on Wednesday morning, the course at the Taifong Golf Club has to undergo an extensive restoration to ensure proper playing conditions before we can start the tournament,” organizers said.

Bad weather also reduced to 54 holes the PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship in Malaysia earlier this year. Asian Tour News