Shin thwarts Tabuena rally, snags TCC Invitational title

Micah Shin built a three-shot lead at the back then watched Miguel Tabuena miss a closing birdie putt to snare The Country Club Invitational crown at the TCC course in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Saturday.

The Davao-based Korean-American banged in back-to-back birdies from No. 13 then parred the next three to negate a closing bogey that gave him a one-under-par 71 and a one-shot victory over reigning titlist Tabuena, who carded a 70.

Tabuena fought back from four down to threaten within one with seven holes to go, but Shin held his ground en route to a five-under 283 total.

The 21-year-old Shin thus became the first non-Filipino and youngest winner of the event put up by ICTSI president and chair Ricky Razon in 2003 as Tabuena missed forcing a playoff with a muffed birdie putt from eight feet.

The win, worth P1.5 million, was Shin’s third in a flourishing career. He made a breakthrough in the 2016 CAT Open at Luisita then topped an Asian Tour event at Southwoods last year.

“I’m very happy. I thank God for giving me a chance to win this,” said Shin, who thanked caddie-friend Own Hong.

Tabuena moved within two with a birdie on No. 15. He, however, failed to add another in the last three to settle for the P700,000 runner-up purse.

The rest of the field yielded to the wind-whipped Tom Weiskoph-designed layout.

Dutchman Guido Van der Valk took third place at 300 despite a 77 while Frankie Miñoza carded a 73 to share fourth with Tony Lascuña, who limped with a 75, at 302. Jobim Carlos shot a 74 to finish sixth at 304 while Japanese Toru Nakajima also made a 74 to tie Johnnel Ababa (76) at seventh at 305.