Tabuena is 8 shots off pace

MIGUEL Tabuena (left) shares a celebratory fist bump with his caddie after posting a strong 67 in the second round of the Link Hong Kong Open on Friday.
Photograph courtesy of ASIAN TOUR
Miguel Tabuena shot a steady three-under-par 67 in the second round of the Link Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club on Friday, despite missing seven greens along the way. The 31-year-old International Series champion sits at 7-under through 36 holes, setting himself up for a crucial Moving Day performance if he hopes to contend for the title on Sunday.
Tabuena got off to a strong start with back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes, but a bogey on the ninth tempered his momentum. He added two more birdies on the back nine, including a crucial one on the 18th. While he hit only nine of 14 fairways, his putting was sharp, requiring just 27 putts to navigate the round.
Other Filipino contenders struggled to make the cut. Justin Quiban narrowly missed it by one stroke after a second consecutive 68, while Sean Ramos finished at 1-under following a 72.
At the top, Tom McKibbin, who set a course record with a 60 on Thursday, followed it up with a 65 to reach 15-under through 36 holes, maintaining a strong hold on the lead. Three players — American Peter Uihlein and Thais Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond — are tied at 13-under, just two strokes off the pace. Uihlein posted a 63, Aphibarnrat a 65, and Janewattananond a 66.
Major champions Charl Schwartzel and Patrick Reed are also in contention at 7-under and 6-under, respectively, promising a thrilling weekend showdown.
