Tabuena opens bid in Rio

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines plays his shot from the 12th tee during the continuation of the weather delayed first round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 17, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images/AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO—Miguel Tabuena attempts to put the Philippines on the Olympic golf map when he tees it up in the first round of the competition at the windy links course in the city’s Barra coast here.

Tabuena comes into the tournament brimming with confidence, having played in this year’s US Open and, as he said, having sustained a game “that has skyrocketed this year.”

The reigning Philippine Open champion has psyched himself up that he could win the event, which marks golf’s return to the Olympics after 120 years.

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“I always join a tournament expecting to win,” said the 21-year-old shot maker who currently ranks No. 4 on the Asian Tour.

“I never play a tournament knowing I can’t win. Right now I’m playing my best golf and I know I can compete well with the best.”

Playing with Tabuena in the 9:47 a.m. flight (8:47 p.m. In Manila) are Finland’s Roope Kakko and Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, also an Asian Tour veteran.

Among the biggest names in the tournament are Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, Padraig Harrington and Danny Willett, all past winners of golf’s Majors.

Tabuena has played three practice rounds over the undulating, 7,100-yard Olympic Golf Course and found it unforgiving to errant shots.

“It’s very demanding off the tee,” he said. “If you can drive it well you will score, otherwise you will be punished.

Because shifting winds from the coast buffet the links course, Tabuena said it’s necessary to play different kinds of shots.

“The tournament itself is challenging, but I intend to have fun and just accept whatever happens,” he said.