Tabuena makes US Open debut

In photo courtesy of Toch Altea: Tabuena with Jordan Spieth before they headed to the range to warmup. INQUIRER GOLF

NOT too long ago, Miguel Tabuena would spend summers in the United States, hopping from one big city to another to compete in junior golf tournaments.

When they had the chance, his parents would bring him to professional events to watch the big stars play and he would watch his fairway heroes with wide eyes.

He grew up mimicking what Tiger Woods does in every major championship like the US Open.

On Thursday (Friday in Manila), Tabuena will be at the Open, no longer the little boy behind the ropes seeking autographs but an Asian tiger ready to conquer the world in the 166th edition of the richest golf event in the world.

He is among those teeing off at the much-feared Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania in a much-deserved stint widely anticipated by golfers from his home country.

It is the realization of a dream he once had while gazing at the stars, a destination he reached with the roads and bridges his family built for him.

“This has been a life-long dream, a reward for all the time I spent on golf,” Tabuena said as he went through his final practice round at Oakmont, not minding the rigors that the field is about the face.

Lightning-fast greens and roughs deep enough to bury balls in limbo add to the challenge of a star-studded field.

“People say the greens are hard but for me the challenge would be putting the ball in the right position from the tee,” he said. “Getting the proper position to hit greens is key to winning here.”

Oddsmakers are hardly giving him any chance, he is 33 to 1 for a top 20 finish and a 1,000 to 1 for a victory.

But the known fighter that he truly is, Tabuena’s focus at winning is firm as is has always been.

“I expect to win every tournament I play. It doesn’t mean my expectation will change despite the strong field,” he said.

Tabuena tees off 12:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. in Manila) in the first round with Lee Slatter of England and American Daniel Summerhays.

Tabuena is the first Filipino to play in the US Open since Angelo Que, who saw action in 2009 at Bethpage State Park’s Black course in New York. Artemio Murakami also played in 2008 at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Cassius Casas was given a last minute slot as the first alternate, also at Bethpage Black in 2002.