Tarlac, Philippines: Home hero Miguel Tabuena plans to end the year on a high note when he challenges for the Philippine Open presented by ICTSI later this month.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a great season on the local tour where he won four titles en route to his Order of Merit victory. He will continue his chase for a first Asian Tour triumph at the US$300,000 event staged at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.

Tabuena will be joined by an elite cast including Order of Merit winners Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines in the final event of the Asian Tour’s 2015 season from December 17 to 20.

Talented young Asian Tour stars Jeunghun Wang of Korea, Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka and Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei will also feature in the Philippines Open which is the oldest National Open in Asia.

Tabuena, ranked 39th on the Order of Merit, believes he has a good chance to win the Philippine Open as he was victorious at the Luisita course on the local circuit previously. He came close to winning his National Open in 2012 before losing to Singapore’s Mardan Mamat.

“We’ve never had an Asian Tour event on that course which we’ve played twice there. I won once there on 22-under and the next one I shot 13-under. If I can play like that I might have a good chance,” said Tabuena.

“I remember I played well in my second Open where Mardan won. I was in the final group but I’ve changed as a golfer since then. I’ve had a few other chances to win on the Asian Tour. I’m more confident with my shots, physically and mentally, I’m stronger. My experience is also more now and I now know how to handle the pressure better.”

He finished runner-up at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) in September for the second time in his career but remains upbeat that he will taste success on the region’s premier Tour soon.

“I know winning a tournament is within reach. I need more good breaks to fall my way. I know I was playing well in Yeangder but someone else played better. My game is in good shape and I will have a chance,” said Tabuena.

“I won’t treat the Open any different. But if you win or do well in the national Open, it’s a big bonus. You don’t want to treat it differently from other events as it may disrupt your preparation,” he added.