by Waylon Galvez
There appears to be a cloud of doubt on the availability of defending champion Miguel Tabuena in this week's Solaire Philippine Open after he failed to compete in the Hero Indian Open this past week.
The 24-year-old Tabuena has already withdrawn in the previous Asian Tour competition, the Maybank Championship in Malaysia after submitting a 79 in the first round last March 21.
In an Instagram post two weeks ago, Tabuena said he is bothered by pain in his back.
“So grateful for the @asiantour and @europeantour physios. Unfortunate to have WD in Malaysia this week due to gluteal and QT strain,” said Tabuena. “Praying I can tee it up in India next.”
According to Tabuena’s father Luigi, during last week’s press briefing for the tournament, the Hero Indian Open should be an indication if the young golfer is fit to compete and defend the Philippine Open.
However, now that Tabuena has failed to complete a tournament and missed the last one, it remains uncertain whether or not he will play in the Philippines Open this week at The Country Club in Laguna.
Pilipinas Gold Tournaments Inc. and TCC general Manager Colo Ventosa said last week that Tabuena is still in the entry list for the $500,000 event, the 101st edition of the Philippine Open.
If he decides to play, Tabuena will be aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the Philippine Open in 60 years as he tries to join 13-time winner Larry Montes, 6-time champion Celestino Tugot, 5-time titlist JRH Mason, and 3-time winners Ben Arda and Taiwan’s Liang Huan.
Aside from winning the centennial edition of the Philippine Open where he defeated Thai ace Prom Meesawat in a playoff, Tabuena won the rain-shortened event at Luisita back in 2015.