MIGUEL TABUENA of the Philippines, priming up for a tougher tournament ahead, fired a two-under-par 70 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over countryman Clyde Mondilla at the start of the Malaysian Junior Open in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
The 16-year-old, who will play his first international open men’s tournament for the Philippines in the Putra Cup later this month, had a 34-36 card to post the strong start and lead the reigning RP Amateur champion Mondilla.
After going out with a 34, Mondilla, who upset the fancied bets in the last RP Am held in his homecourse of Del Monte in Bukindnon, faltered with a 38 in his final nine to settle for a 72.
Sarah Ababa, meanwhile, fired a 75 and grabbed a obe stroke lead over Vivien Chen of Malaysia in the girls side of the 54-hole event featuring players 12-18 years of age.
Local bets Paul San and Emilio Rosidin fired identical 74s for third while Chan Tuck Soon, also of Malaysia, stood a shot farther back at 75 followed Bino dela Paz and Kenneth Kano, who both carded 76s.
Tabuena is without a doubt one of the finest age-groupers in the region, and his talent made the National Golf Association of the Philippines tap him for the Putra Cup team.
He joins former RP Am champion Mark Fernando, Jonel Ababa and Jessie Balasabas in the squad that will try to win the Putra Cup, regarded as Southeast Asia’s official team championship, for the first time since 1991.
Ababa hobbled on her homeward trip with a 37 marred by three bogeys, and Chen pounced on the opportunity by signing for a 36.
Two other Malaysians, Nurdurriyah Damian and Kelly Tan, stood within four strokes off the pace after 79s.
MOST READ
LATEST STORIES