Tabuena ‘centennial’ champ

Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines kisses the trophy after winning the Solaire Philippine Open at The Country Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Sta. Rosa, Laguna— Miguel Tabuena bounced back from a two-shot penalty in the previous round and parred the first playoff hole Saturday to beat Prom Meesawat and capture the Solaire 100th Philippine Open crown.

Playing bogey, Meesawat didn’t need to hole out after Tabuena tapped in for par to claim his second Open crown in a three-year-span at The Country Club here.

Tabuena carded a final round one-under-par 71 for a 289 and force an extra hole against the Thai, who shot 72.

Tabuena thus avenged his playoff loss to Meesawat for the 2014 Yeangder Players Tournament Championship crown in Taiwan, and followed up his rain-shortened triumph in the 2015 Philippine Open at Luisita in Tarlac.

“I’m happy to be on top,” said Tabuena. It was a really good fight.”

Meesawat, who missed a title-clinching 10-foot par putt in regulation, saw his bid for the $108,000 top purse swallowed by the bunkers.

The burly Thai sent his drive to the left bunker and his second to the deep bunker guarding the 18th green. It took two shots to get out and to within 12 feet of the pin.

After the awarding rites, Tabuena told the media in jest: “Kulang pa pala ang two-shot penalty (It seems that the two-shot penalty wasn’t enough).

Still referencing the penalty he took in the third round after American Nicolas Paez said he hit a loose impediment on No. 11, Tabuena said: “I’ve never been more mad going to the final round.”