Shin wins Masters; Tabuena lands 3rd

Just when the crown was within reach, Miguel Tabuena lost his grip.

Tabuena bogeyed the 18th hole Sunday and missed the title playoff of the $1-million Resorts World Manila Masters won by American Micah Shin at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Shin and Thai Arnond Vongranij both carded 67 and finished regulation with 19-under 269 totals, one up on Tabuena, who tallied 69.

Returning to the par-5 No. 18, Shin found the fairway on his tee shot and eventually carded a four-putter for birdie.

Arnond, on the other hand, landed on the left rough, got onto the green in three but missed his seven-foot birdie putt to hand Shin his maiden Asian Tour victory and the $180,000 that goes with it.

What made Shin’s win even more impressive was the fact that he overcame an early two-shot penalty after finding out that he had 15 clubs in his bag.

Justin Quiban, who like Tabuena calls Manila Southwoods home, shot a 70 and wound up joint fifth with Indian Jyoti Randhawa (71) at 272.

It was a stingy defeat for Tabuena as he was ahead by one heading to the 18th, which both Shin and Arnond birdied.

Zanie Boy Gialon shot 71 and finished 47th. —ROY LUARCA

Read more...