Tabuena gains lead share as Salvador fumbles

16-YEAR-OLD MIGUEL TABUENA.

Defending champion Elmer Salvador lost a four-stroke lead at the back
as he lost his putting touch for a 70, enabling youthful Miguel Tabuena to gain
a share of it with a solid five-under 67 in the third round of the Philippine
Open at the Valley Golf Club in Antipolo, Friday.
The Dabawenyo fumbled with three bogeys in the last seven holes and hobbled with a
37, blowing the chance to build a big cushion heading into the final 18 holes
for a clear crack at the first back-to-back Open feat in more than five decades.
Instead, his shaky windup allowed Tabuena to fuel his own bid of becoming the
first amateur in 43 years to win the fabled event as the reigning Asian Games
silver medalist continued to dish out fine form that impressed no less than
two-time champion Frankie Minoza. His 34-33 round tied him with defending
champion at the helm at eight-under 208.
It also set the stage for a wild, woolly final round chase in the P2 million
tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corp. with seven players, including two
former champions, getting a clear shot at the crown worth P350,000.
Artemio Murakami, going for his second major win this year after topping the
Mercedes Benz Tour leg at Manila Southwoods early in the year, fired the
tournament-best score of 65, an eagle-spiked round that pushed him to within one
at 209.
"I had a good start but I just couldn't sustain it,” said Salvador, seeking to
become the first player to win the Open back-to-back since the late Celestino
Tugot scored four straight from 1955. “But the good thing is I'm still in the
lead going into the final day."

The problem is a slew of others is out to foil his bid.
There is Tabuena, a teener dishing out a man’s game. Falling farther behind by
four at the turn, the 16-year-old jungolfer, two flights behind Salvador,
matched the defending champion’s back-to-back birdie binge from No. 10, rolled
in a delicate birdie putt on No. 14 before making four clutch pars for a 33 and
a 67.
Murakami, 27, likewise boosted his bid for a maiden Open title, bucking a bogey
start with six birdies and an eagle from a superb Hybrid second shot from 220
yards that landed six feet near the cup. He made that put on No. 7 then birdied
the next two holes for a 32.
After he birdied the par-5 11th and a string of pars, Murakami wielded his hot
putter once more, closing out with back-to-back birdies for that 65.
"I participated here with a goal of winning my first Open and I think I have a
strong chance of accomplishing it," said Murakami, who recovered from an opening
round of 74 with a 70 Thursday.
Frankie Minoza, who co-led the first round with 1990 champion Robert Pactolerin,
Orlan Sumcad and amateur Sonnie Boy Gialon, also bounced back into contention
with a 69 for a 210 for joint fourth with Sumcad, firing a 71, just two strokes
adrift.
“It’s anybody’s ball game,” said Minoza, who was so impressed with Tabuena’s
game.
"He can hit, his focus is impressive," said Minoza. "He plays like a veteran,
I'm surprised he's just 16 years old, he's really playing maturely."
Marvin Dumandan also shot an eagle-aided 66 to fan his title hopes at 211 in a
tie with Richard Sinfuego, who had a 70, while Pactolerin turned in a bogey-free
69 for a 212 in a tie with Elmer Saban, who also had a 66, spiked by a birdie on
the par-3 finishing hole.
Antonio Asistio II, who shared the second round lead with Salvador, had a
horrendous four-over 76 in a day of torrid scoring, tumbling down to joint ninth
at 214 Dimitrio Sanchez (70) and Joenard Rates (72).
The day, however, belonged to Tabuena, out to become the Open's first amateur
champion since Hsu Sheng San of Chinese Taipei won in 1967 when he upstaged
Tugot in a gripping finale. The Late Luis “Golem” Silverio was the first
Filipino amateur to win the Open in 1966.
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing, my driving and putting are doing the work
for me," said Tabuena. "I'm also excited and surprised that I'm in contention, I
never really thought I'll have this big chance of winning against the best."
It would have been a flawless day for Tabuena if not for an errant drive on No.
5, one of the rare times he had a mishit off the mound.(pr)