Tabuena hangs on, nips Que by one

MIGUEL Tabuena won his fifth tournament as a pro yesterday by closing out with a 1-under-par 71 to hold off Angelo Que for the ICTSI Splendido Classic title in Tagaytay.

The 20-year-old blew an overnight one-shot lead, trailed Que by one after the third hole before picking up shots in three of his first four holes on the back nine to finish with a 275 total that was worth P360,000.

Que found himself trailing by three going into the closing holes but his two birdies in his last three holes still left him a shot out of the playoff as he also closed out with a 71 to remain winless since the 2010 Asian Tour Selangor Masters.

Elmer Salvador also carved out a 71 and finished third at 280 with defending champion Jay Bayron shooting a 67 for 281.

The win gave Tabuena all the confidence boost he needs heading into next week’s Manila Masters at Eastridge in Binangonan, Rizal.

His final-round performance also boosted his stock following his collapse, together with Que, in the final round of the Solaire Open of the Asian Tour at The Country Club last year where they were both in the final group.

Richard T. Lee of Canada came from behind to win that one after overnight leader Que skied to an 81 and Tabuena a 78.

Antonio Lascuña, the three-time Order of Merit winner who won five of nine events he entered last year, fired a level 72 that was good for a tie for fifth spot with first round leader Rufino Bayron at 283.