Shin wins Masters; Tabuena lands 3rd

Just when the crown was within reach, Miguel Tabuena lost his grip.

Tabuena bogeyed the 18th hole Sunday and missed the title playoff of the $1-million Resorts World Manila Masters won by American Micah Shin at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Shin and Thai Arnond Vongranij both carded 67 and finished regulation with 19-under 269 totals, one up on Tabuena, who tallied 69.

Returning to the par-5 No. 18, Shin found the fairway on his tee shot and eventually carded a four-putter for birdie.

Arnond, on the other hand, landed on the left rough, got onto the green in three but missed his seven-foot birdie putt to hand Shin his maiden Asian Tour victory and the $180,000 that goes with it.

What made Shin’s win even more impressive was the fact that he overcame an early two-shot penalty after finding out that he had 15 clubs in his bag.

Justin Quiban, who like Tabuena calls Manila Southwoods home, shot a 70 and wound up joint fifth with Indian Jyoti Randhawa (71) at 272.

It was a stingy defeat for Tabuena as he was ahead by one heading to the 18th, which both Shin and Arnond birdied.

Zanie Boy Gialon shot 71 and finished 47th. —ROY LUARCA