STA. ROSA, Laguna – Even on a day when nearly everything went wrong, Micah Shin still found a way to prove he remains the man to beat at The Country Club.
Playing through lingering pain from a hip surgery and battling shaky form from the outset, Shin leaned on grit and experience, grinding out clutch pars on the final two holes to fend off Miguel Tabuena by one and capture the TCC Invitational crown here on Friday.
A faltering back nine nearly unraveled what had looked like a comfortable march to victory. Three bogeys over a six-hole stretch from No. 11 turned Shin’s once-commanding lead into another tense duel that echoed their dramatic showdown in 2018.
Back then, Shin also survived a late charge from Tabuena to win by one. Eight years later, history repeated itself – another squandered cushion, another furious pursuit, and again, Shin standing last.
After rounds of 71, 71 and 72, Shin stumbled to a six-over 76 but still finished atop the leaderboard at 290, two-over for the tournament. The victory earned him the top purse of P2.2 million from the P6.5 million prize fund, nearly doubling his earnings from his breakthrough win eight years ago.
“It feels different, obviously,” Shin said. “But it felt like déjà vu.”
Twice during the final stretch, Tabuena closed within a single shot. Twice, Shin answered with the calm of a veteran and the resolve of a former champion.
In 2018, Shin nearly gave away a three-shot lead before Tabuena missed a birdie putt that would have forced a playoff. This time, Shin again flirted with disaster but found enough in reserve to frustrate the 2017 champion.
After Shin bogeyed Nos. 11, 14 and 16, Tabuena threatened once more, only to miss birdie chances on Nos. 17 and 18. Shin, despite missing greens on the treacherous finish, produced a superb chip to save par and preserve his slim edge.
“I feel thankful to be a two-time winner,” said Shin. “This is one of the biggest tournaments in the Philippines, and I’m happy to be back.”
The win also came at a critical moment. “This is a warm-up for next week,” he added. “Definitely a confidence-booster.”
Battling pain throughout the round, Shin admitted the struggle took its toll. “I had a little injury this morning and it was hard. I would’ve felt really bad if I didn’t get the win. But I just held on.”
More than held on, Shin persevered. When his lead shrank to one after the bogey on No. 14, he chose aggression over caution, trusting his instincts and his caddie.
“If I played my game, I knew I would win,” he said. “I tried not to think too much about the injury, even though I felt it all day.”
Tabuena closed with a third straight 73 to finish at 291, earning P1.05 million but again falling just short of a second TCC title.
Despite the heartbreak, the loss came amid encouraging developments for the 31-year-old Filipino ace, who is bound for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the opening leg of the LIV Golf League.
Recently contacted by LIV Golf, Tabuena has been named a reserve player for select events during the 2026 season – a significant step that places him within the orbit of one of the sport’s most competitive tours.
“It was fine,” said Tabuena. “I gave myself the best chance. Micah had a great up-and-down on the last hole, and I couldn’t do anything about that.”
“Three-over in four days here is not a bad score. My game is trending in the right direction and hopefully I get to play in Saudi next week,” he added.
Guido van der Valk carded a 73 to snatch third place at 294, while Clyde Mondilla faded with a 75 to share fourth at 295 with Jaehyun Jung, who shot a 73.
The elite field endured rain early and gusty winds later, yet the course held firm, setting the stage for another unpredictable finish at TCC – a venue that never forgives complacency.
And once again, when the pressure mounted and the margin vanished, Shin proved that at TCC, survival isn’t luck – it’s a habit.(PR)
Mo Billacura 
