Miguel, 16, youngest to turn pro

MANILA, Philippines - Notwithstanding his opening three-over 75 in ongoing The Montecillo Cup, Miguel Tabuena has decided to end his brief stint in the amateur ranks to join the pros next month.

“I’m a bit pressured because they’re looking at me to have a good showing in this tournament since it’s going to be my last event as an amateur because I’ve decided to turn pro next month,” said Tabuena.

At 16, Tabuena will become the youngest Filipino golfer to turn pro although the Junior World veteran will leave the ranks with a silver medal feat in the last Asian Games.

“I believe he has the game,” said former jungolf star Carito Villaroman, who turned pro at 20 in 1989 in the California State Open in Palm Springs. “But I actually wanted to turn pro at 17.”

Tabuena showed his readiness for big-time golf when he turned in a strong 21st place finish in the Asian Tour Qualifying School last December to earn a Tour card.

He even led the Philippine Open after three rounds at Valley Golf, also last December, and impressed no less than two-time Phl Open champion and former Asian Tour No. 1 Frankie Miñoza.

Tabuena, however, succumbed to final round pressure and eventually wound up in the top 5.

Tabuena’s decision to turn pro thus leaves the national team one less talented player as it braces for a number of international tournaments this year, including the Putra and Nomura Cups in Hong Kong and the SEA Games in Indonesia.