Tabuena, Puyat joint 19th in Asian Am

MANILA, Philippines - Marcel Puyat and Miguel Tabuena closed out with identical two-under 69s and finished in joint 19th, 18 strokes behind Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who romped off with the Asian Amateur Championship at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, Japan yesterday.

Puyat finally hit his stride after a three-day struggle on the tough par-71 layout, firing four birdies against two bogeys for a 34-35 and a four-day total of 287. The top ICTSI bet could’ve finished better if not for a final hole bogey mishap.

Tabuena matched Puyat’s output with his own version of 34-35 with the 15-year-old shotmaker birdying three of the last 13 holes for a share of 19th place.

Mhark Fernando carded a 74 and wound up in joint 24th with a 291 while Jerson Balasabas shared 38th place with a 294 after a 74.

Judson Eustaquio, who finished 10th in last year’s inaugurals of the event, shot a 75 for a 306 and finished 60th among 64 survivors.

Matsuyama, 18, followed up his third round 65 with a bogey-free 67 and ran away with a five-stroke win over Australian Tarquin Macmanus with a 15-under 269.

The win also gained Matsuyama a ticket to next year’s US Masters and in the British Open International Qualifying.

Macmanus shot a 69 for a 274, nipping first round leader Yosuke Asaji of Japan, who had a 67 and a 275, for runner-up honors.