Tabuena eyes joint third as rain halts play in Singapore Open

MANILA, Philippines – Miguel Tabuena failed to draw a dream final round duel with Jordan Spieth but succeeded in turning in a strong finish in the rich Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course yesterday.

Inclement weather actually suspended play among the last three flights, including that of Tabuena, Spieth and third round leader Younghan Song. But the Filipino ace has assured himself of a top five finish with an eye for third with a three-under card with one hole left – the par-5 18th which he birdied in the first three rounds.

Tabuena, who had expressed his desire to play with the world No. 1, closed out his unfinished third round stint with a birdie early Sunday for a 71 as he tied Spieth at six-under overall at 207. Tabuena struggled a bit at the front and settled for one birdie-one bogey game and remained way behind Song. But the reigning Philippine Open champion and the country’s top golfer rallied at the back with birdies on Nos. 11, 12 and 15.

“They have to go back tomorrow (today). They are super tired playing so many holes everyday,” said Miguel’s mom Lorna Tabuena. “They resume at 7 a.m. then Miguel rushes to the airport to take the flight to Myanmar.”

Play has been suspended for each of the four rounds due to bad weather late in the day with those stranded needed to come out early the following day to finish play before resuming their next round.

Song, who sizzled with a 63 halfway through to take control and stayed at the helm with a 69 Saturday, had a one-under after 15 holes when play was stopped. But the Korean had a two-shot lead over Chinese Liang wen-chong, who finished with a 69 for a 10-under 274.

Spieth, who won two majors last year, had a four-under card with one hole left and was at 10-under overall with Tabuena a shot behind.

Juvic Pagunsan rallied with a 67 to salvage joint 21st with Japanese Ippei Koike,  who fired a 68.