After losing his playing card on the Asian Tour by the slimmest of margins, 17-year-old Miguel Tabuena will find himself in an even bigger, grander stage this week: the PGA Tour.
Tabuena was granted one of the sponsors exempt slots for the second leg of the new season, the Sony Open starting Thursday (Friday in Manila) at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“This is one chance Miguel wouldn’t want to miss, and no matter what happens here, he’s going to cherish the experience,” Tabuena’s father Luigi told the Inquirer.
Although the stint was being worked on as early as last month, Sony Open organizers were able to give the confirmation only last Jan. 4, paving the way for Tabuena’s baptism of fire on the PGA Tour. Still dazed after the wedding of a family member, the Tabuenas hastily arranged all travel requirements and finally made it to Hawaii Saturday evening.
Even arrangements for Tabuena’s caddie was done in haste, and he ended up with a local who’s in it for the love of the game. The caddie drives a Lotus sports car.
When Tabuena hit the range the next day, the Nike athlete found himself hitting balls next to Australian Robert Allenby and American Justin Leonard. He plays his official practice round on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) together with Corey Pavin and Paul Goydos, both former winners on the PGA Tour.
The fact that most of the game superstars are either skipping the tourney or playing in another event in the Middle East or in Europe should boost Tabuena’s mission to at least make the halfway cut.
Team Tabuena, including singer and uncle Martin Nievera, played a big role in convincing Sony that he deserves a spot in the tournament.
“We’re all looking forward to watching him play his first PGA Tour event this week, and I know he’ll make the most of this chance,” he said.