MIGUEL Tabuena highlighted a 65 with an ace on the 14th hole to take the clubhouse lead in the second round of the International Series Philippines at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The Filipino golfer also made an eagle on 16th in a round that included four birdies on his way to a 10-under 134 heading into moving day on Saturday.
He played so well that he left flightmates ex-British Open champion Louis Oousthuizen and former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson in the shade.
Oosthuizen shot 71 and Johnson a 73.
The ace took one bounce before rolling into the hole.
“It’s not every day you hit a hole-in-one,” said Tabuena of his ace where he used an eight-iron at the 177-yard 14th hole. “I just heard that crowd go wild.”
“It’s been probably six years since my last one and second in competitions. It was nice that it was here in front of friends, family, and fans, and my home club,” said Tabuena.
Tabuena capped his round with an eagle on the 16th.
“On my scorecard from 14 to 16, it was 1, 4, and 3 which is great. That was a perfect seven-wood for me on 16. I don’t know how many times I’ve eagled that hole. It’s a pretty familiar hole for me. That is my favorite pin position for that hole,” said the 31-year-old Rio De Janerio Olympian.
Former US Open champion Patrick Reed made a 66 for a two-day total of 136, while Steve Lewton shot a 63 for a total of 137, among the top performers in the second round.
Tabuena said he needs to do well in the third round especially with the field this stacked.
“It is one of the stronger fields in the International Series. These are world-class players and they will adapt to anything. I have two more days to get the job done,” said Tabuena.
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