Miguel Tabuena birdied nine of the first 10 holes on his way to a lead-sharing seven-under par 65 yesterday in the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth, a European Tour leg in Perth, Australia.
The 24-year-old Filipino shared the clubhouse lead with Kristoffer Reitan of Norway who had eight birdies against a lone bogey.
Five players were bunched at 68, namely: S.S.P. Chawrasia of India, Anton Karlsson of Sweden, Nick Flanagan of Australia, Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland and Pittayarat Panuphol of Thailand.
Starting in the backside of the Lake Karrinyup Country Club, Tabuena had a flying start of seven straight birdies before settling for a par on the 17th.
He birdied the 18th to fire the lowest nine holes of the season.
Another birdie on the first hole brought Tabuena to nine-under before she slowed down with two bogeys the rest of the way.
Tabuena, a silver medalist in the 2010 Asian Games, won the 2015 Philippine Open and the 2018 Queen’s Cup in Thailand.
Together with fellow pro Angelo Que, Tabuena will be cited by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on Feb. 26 at the Manila Hotel.
