Tabuena in joint third, 5 off Aussie leader

Miguel Tabuena. Inquirer Golf

KUALA LUMPUR—Filipino rising star Miguel Tabuena shot a three-under-par 68 on Friday and moved up to joint third, five shots behind an irrepressible Nathan Holman, halfway through the $3-million Maybank Championship Malaysia here.

The slightly built Tabuena, who had a 66 Thursday, shot three birdies in a perfect round despite still suffering from the effects of food poisoning.

He was in a four-way tie at 134 with Korean youngster Lee Soo-min, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and world No. 13 Danny Willett of England.

The 24-year-old Holman was also perfect with seven birdies, producing a solid six-under 65 for 129 and a two-shot lead over Richard Bland of England, who also shot a 65, at Royal Selangor Golf Club.

Angelo Que, in second spot overnight following an opening 65, ballooned to a 74 and tumbled down to 28th place at 139, in a tie with 10 others.

Que mixed three birdies with four bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 No. 7.

Antonio Lascuña added a 70 to a first-round 71 and barely made the cut at 141. Juvic Pagunsan shot a 73 and missed the cut at 142.

Tabuena, the reigning Philippine Open winner who finished fourth in Singapore less than two weeks ago, gave himself a chance by concentrating on the challenge posed by the course.

“I’m really happy with my form so far considering I’m not 100 percent,” said the 21-year-old.

Holman, the reigning Australian PGA Championship winner, birdied all the par fives at Royal Selangor for the second consecutive day to stay in the hunt for a second victory since his European Tour breakthrough on home soil last December. Asian Tour News