Local hero Miguel Tabuena ignited home hopes and set up a thrilling final-round showdown at the US$2 million International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus, firing a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 on Saturday at Sta. Elena Golf Club.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, a two-time International Series champion, began the day with a four-shot cushion but saw his lead erased as Tabuena surged with two eagles and three birdies. China’s Sampson Zheng matched the fireworks, carding a sensational 10-under 62 to join the leaders heading into Sunday’s finale.
The trio now share the top spot at 15-under-par, just one stroke ahead of Japan’s Yosuke Asaji (65). South Africa’s Dean Burmester (65) — a LIV Golf regular — and Japan’s Kazuki Higa (68) trail by one more at 14-under, while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) sits alone in seventh at 13-under after a late bogey. Australia’s Marc Leishman (65) follows at 12-under.
Tabuena’s magical touch
Fresh off a hole-in-one and an eagle in Friday’s second round, Tabuena continued his inspired form on moving day, picking up eagles on Sta. Elena’s par-five third and 16th holes.
“I totally forgot my score out there,” said Tabuena, who wore a blue ribbon in memory of close friend Paolo ‘Paowee’ Tantoco, son of Sta. Elena Golf Club owner Rico Tantoco.
“I was just cruising and found myself in a real flow state — exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to think about scores or what others were doing, just to execute my game plan. It’s even more special to be doing this at home in front of such an amazing crowd. Hopefully, I can finish the job tomorrow.”
On the third hole, Tabuena struck a four-iron from 257 yards to set up eagle, and later a five-iron from 235 yards downwind on the 16th for his second of the day — both defining moments in a near-perfect round.
Sarit battles through tougher pins
After torching the course with 16 birdies over the first two rounds, Sarit found scoring harder on Saturday, managing just five birdies against two bogeys, including one on the par-five eighth.
“It was a tough day. I didn’t hit my driver as good as the first two days, and the pins were tougher,” said the 27-year-old Thai. “Overall solid, but not as good as I wanted.”
Sarit knows the pressure of closing out a lead — he held a four-shot advantage last week in Macao before finishing tied for fourth.
“I feel the same as I did in Macao,” he added. “I’ll just focus on the number I need to shoot and try to outplay the others. Scores are going low — someone could easily shoot 10-under again — so I just need to play my best and see what happens.”
Zheng surges with hot putter
China’s 24-year-old Sampson Zheng stormed into contention with a sparkling round highlighted by eight birdies and an eagle on the par-five eighth. His streak of four consecutive birdies from 14 to 17 and a clutch two-putt par save from 45 feet on the last capped a career-best performance.
“I just hit a lot of greens and made a lot of putts,” said Zheng. “I didn’t feel like I did anything extraordinary — I just stuck to my plan, hit good shots, and fortunately, they went in.”
Zheng’s second shot into the eighth — a four-hybrid to 24 feet for eagle — proved pivotal.
“That eagle gave me a lot of momentum,” he said. “It took me from two-under to four-under, and from there, the snowball started rolling.”
