By Waylon Galvez
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Prom Meesawat of Thailand bogeyed his last hole but still emerged the clubhouse leader with a one-over 73 even as top local bet Miguel Tabuena bounced back with an even-par 72 halfway through the 100th Solaire Philippine Open yesterday at The Country Club here.
The 33-year-old Meesawat mixed his round with three birdies and four bogeys, including the 9th – his finishing hole – that saw him miss a par-saving putt from three feet.
Still he expressed satisfaction with his performance, which put him in position to win the title and the winner’s check of$108,000 from a record $600,000 total pot in this prestigious event.
Together with his 70 in last Tuesday’s first round, Meesawat tallied a two-day aggregate of 143 for a one-shot lead over American Nicolaz Paez who turned in a 71.
“I’m very happy with my rounds because this course is long and windy and it’s tough for everybody,” said Meesawat.
“So I just have to be patient, try not to get into trouble. That’s the key for me.”
“I think it’s going to be the same wind (condition), same course set up so I will just play the same game plan for third and fourth rounds, try to put ball in the fairways and put it on the greens,” he added.
Tabuena, the winner of the Philippine Open in 2015, had an up-and-down performance with four birdies and the same number of bogeys to tie Dutch Guido Van Der Valk for third to fourth places.
