By REYNALD MAGALLON
Miguel Tabuena hopes to use his course familiarity to his advantage when he tees up against a bevy of world-class golfers in the International Series Philippines at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao Laguna on Oct. 23 to 26.
With the tournament offering a spot to the LIV Golf tour and the lion’s share of the US$2,000,000 total purse, the 30-year-old top ranked Filipino golfer is fancied to figure prominently as he known the course like the back of his hand.
“I have been lucky to call Sta. Elena my home course. I grew up there, and I know most of the people there. I truly believe Sta. Elena has made me the golfer I am today,” said Tabuena.
“I know that course inside and out. That means there is pressure on me to do well. But I believe that pressure is a privilege,” he added.
Of course, Tabuena isn’t expecting an easy run this time especially with four major champions expected in the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson, and Patrick Reed are expected to compete.
But Tabuena, who is coming off a fifth place finish at the Asian Tour’s Yeangder TPC in Taiwan last week, is confident that Filipino golfers can hold their ground and give the international stars some challenge in the tournament.
“We have a lot of talent back home that can play,” said Tabuena via zoom interview during the media event on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“To have the ability to play on home soil is a great way to see how the level of our games are. I hope to see a lot of Filipinos on the leaderboard on Sunday, and we hope to see support from the fans as well,” said the former Philippine Open champ.
