Tabuena gets rewarded for LIV debut

Miguel Tabuena finished 48th in his first ever participation in the LIV Golf League.

But his performance in the fairwary doesn’t really matter as the 31-year-old Filipino shotmaker banked in an individual payout of $50,000 — or roughly P2.93 million — for finishing in the lower half of the money list in the LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club early Sunday (Manila time).

After posting three consecutive one-under par 71 in the first three rounds, Tabuena proved that he belonged to the big stage as he closed with a three-under par 69 to finish with an impressive total of six-under 282 in the 57-player field.

The International Series Philippines champion actually started slow when he struggled at the bunker that led to a bogey on No. 16. He, however, eventually caught fire when he knocked down five birdies in the next 10 holes to close his LIV Golf debut for Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC on a red-hot note.

Australian Elvis Smylie, who is also making a remarkable LIV Golf debut, sustained his brilliance throughout the week and sealed the victory with his best eight-under 64, finishing at a staggering 24-under 264 to edge defending champion Jon Rahm by one stroke and pocket the $4 million top individual prize.

Smylie turned the beautiful course at the heart of the Arabian desert into his own playground as he opened with a 66 followed by a 69 in the second round and a 65 in the third round to set the stage for an impressive closing performance that blew the star-studded field composed of former Masters champions, world titlists and top-ranked professionals.

Rahm waxed hot late, firing five birdies in his first 13 holes and closing with a fiery four-birdie run for a 63, but it still left him one shot short at 265. Peter Uihlein finished third at 267 despite a closing 75.

Tabuena’s team — the 4Aces — also finished third in the team competition behind Ripper GC (69-under) and Torque GC (66-under) with a 59-under aggregate for a prize of $900,000.

Tabuena is set to receive a share estimated at P1.3 million that will be on top of his P2.93 million pot from the individual category.

With his impressive debut, Tabuena is tipped to see action for 4Aces GC anew when the tour moves to Adelaide that starts on 12 February.