Miguel Tabuena won the International Series Philippines in Manila by posting a spectacular 65, finishing seven‑under par and 24‑under for the tournament.
His victory was a dominant three‑shot win over teammates Kazuki Higa (65) and Yosuke Asaji (67), who both finished 21‑under tied for second.
The win was played at Tabuena’s home course, the Sta. Elena Golf Club, just a week after he had to pull out of the SJM Macao Open because of neck spasms. He finished 24‑under while Higa’s back‑to‑back titles in Korea and Chinese Taipei kept him at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Tabuena’s triumph marks his fourth Asian Tour title, making him the most successful Filipino golfer on the tour. It also pushed him past the US$3 million career‑earnings mark for the Asian Tour, thanks to his first International Series title.
Other top finishers included Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut and China’s Sampson Zheng, both tied for fourth at 20‑under. Australia’s Marc Leishman was the best of the LIV Golf stars, returning solo sixth. US player Caleb Surratt and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar were tied for seventh at 16‑under.
Tabuena started the day one‑under after seven holes, still tied with Zheng at 18‑under. An eagle on the par‑five eighth gave him a cushion, and he avoided mistakes on the back nine, chipping in four birdie putts.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Tabuena said, his voice trembling as he celebrated. “Winning the biggest golf event in the Philippines in front of my people means everything.”
He added, “I was not 100 percent this week. I had neck spasms and withdrew from an event last week, but I recovered and adjusted. The fans’ support kept me going.”
Higa finished with four birdies in his last four holes, while Asaji, who had missed seven of nine starts since August, ended with a 29 on the back nine—a holed bunker shot on the 17th helped him finish five‑under.
Star attraction Dustin Johnson closed the week with a 67, finishing tied 15th at 13‑under.
The International Series Philippines was the sixth of nine elevated events on the 2025 Asian Tour schedule. Next week, the tour will move to Hong Kong for the USD 2 million Link Hong Kong Open.
Source: ianslive
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