Tabuena eyes Asian Tour OOM; Olympics, Asiad possible too

Miguel Tabuena receives Lexus’ plaque of appreciation from Toyota Philippines chairman Alfred Ty and Toyota Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto. —FRANCIS T.J. OCHOA

Just three days after arriving in the country from competing in different stops abroad, Miguel Tabuena immediately hit the golf course.

“I’ll begin my training again,” the 28-year-old ace told the Inquirer recently during an appreciation dinner hosted by Lexus in the golfer’s honor.

Tabuena is preparing for a tournament in Korea, after which he will make an attempt to qualify for the US Open, one of golf’s four Majors.

Tabuena is coming off a victory at the DGC Open in India, which solidified his place on the Asian Tour. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the continental circuit, behind American Andy Ogletree, a lofty perch that has opened up a couple of opportunities for him.

And right up his list of chances is the Olympics in Paris next year.

“It’s one of my goals this year, it’s one of my priorities this year,” Tabuena said.

His latest run in the Asian Tour has also caught the eye of the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.

“I’m pretty close,” Tabuena said of joining the tour.

Tabuena, who was joined in the Lexus dinner by his parents, Luigi, Lorna, and wife Sandra, said he still hopes to represent the country in international meets—like the Paris Games and the Asian Games in China.

“It’s always a privilege and it’s always an honor to represent the Philippines, especially in the Olympics,” Tabuena said.     The only possible problem with the Asiad is that one of Tabuena’s main targets this year is the Order of Merit (OOM).

“[Topping the Asian Tour OOM] a big goal for me; it’s a five-year exemption so hopefully there’s no conflict with the Asian Games,” Tabuena explained.