Tabuena delivers vow, shares Resorts World golf lead

Miguel Tabuena was right. He, indeed, knows Manila Southwoods better than the other contenders.

Backing up his promise to make his move in Saturday’s third round, Tabuena carded a flawless 8-under-par 64 at his home course to share the lead in the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters.

The 23-year-old Tabuena, regarded as the best Philippine golfer this generation, clustered three birdies each from No. 3 and No. 8, respectively, added another on No. 15 and then punctuated his 31-33 effort with a closing birdie on No. 18 to catch up with Indian Jyoti Randhawa, who fired a 67.

Counting his 68 and 69 earlier, Tabuena pooled a 15-under 201 like Randhawa, an eight-time Asia Tour victor, and moved closer to the $180,000 top prize of the Asian Golf Tour leg.

Tabuena, the 2015 Philippine Open champion, said Friday that he’s looking at 17 or 18 under to be the winning score.

With the way he and the other survivors have been taming the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout in Carmona and GMA in Cavite, however, Tabuena may have to do better on Sunday to end the foreigners’ domination of the five-year event.

Sophomore pro Justin Quiban continued his fine showing with a 70, sharing third spot with American Micah Shin, who tallied 66, and Thais Arnond Vongvanij (70) and Namchol Tantipokhakul, who shot a course-record 63, at 202, just one stroke off Tabuena and Randhawa.

Even after 17 holes, Quiban eagled the par 5 18th to vault back into contention.