Filipino Miguel Tabuena saved his best for last as a final-round 65 took him to his third Asian Tour title at the DGC Open on Sunday. Tied sixth at the start of the day, six shots behind leader Rashid Khan, his seven birdies in a bogey-free round were enough to upstage the local favourite, who had a three-shot lead going into the final round but suffered an uncooperative putter to finish a shot behind the eventual winner.
Tabuena made three birdies on the front nine and added four more on his way home to put the pressure on Rashid with an aggregate of 12-under. It was the Filipino’s first Asian Tour title in five years. The win will come as a big relief for Tabuena, who had to work hard to keep his Tour card last year.
“Nerveless was the last thing I was out there today,” he said at the post-victory media interaction, “The DGC is one of the toughest courses we get to play on the Asian Tour. I’ve played it many times before and it is still a test every time, plus Rashid is the kind of player you can never relax about. I know him very well, he is very aggressive. So overall, I’m very glad with this result.”
#TheDGCOpen Champion Miguel Tabuena’s first reaction, sharing his joy with his father 🤩@asiantourgolf @mastercardindia @migueltabuena pic.twitter.com/gZKceEqmwr
— The DGC Open (@TheDGCOpen) March 19, 2023
“I was very proud of the way I stayed patient this whole week. I just stuck to my game plan and came out very lucky at the end. I played less than 10 events last year and it was very hard to keep my card for this year. I was lucky enough to play well in the latter part of the year,” the winner reflected.
It was only when Rashid made a bogey on the 17th hole, his second of the day, that Tabuena took firm control of the golf tournament. The Indian then needed an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff, but managed only a birdie to card a final round of even-par 72.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena’s winning putt at the 18th hole of #TheDGCOpen 🔥@asiantourgolf @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/CtLYqv0NRY
— The DGC Open (@TheDGCOpen) March 19, 2023
“I gave it my best shot,” Rashid said later. “There was nothing more I could have done today. Finishing second is not that bad a result and I’m quite happy to take that away from here. I just didn’t hole my putts today, that’s it.”
It was a good tournament overall for the Indian contingent as three of them finished in the top five, with S Chikkarangappa (72) and SSP Chawrasia (68) ending fourth and fifth respectively. Chapchai Nirat of Thailand (68) finished third.
