Tabuena reloads, earns final shot at LIV Golf

Miguel Tabuena secured a direct exemption into Round 2 of LIV Golf Promotions, set for January 8-11, 2026, at Black Diamond Ranch Golf and Country Club in Florida, where two more prized LIV Golf League spots await the top finishers.

Photo from The International Series Press Office

MANILA, Philippines — While Miguel Tabuena narrowly—and excruciatingly— missed an outright berth in the LIV Golf League for next season, the Filipino star still earned a chance not only to redeem himself but to pursue a lifelong dream.

Tabuena secured a direct exemption into Round 2 of LIV Golf Promotions, set for January 8-11, 2026, at Black Diamond Ranch Golf and Country Club in Florida, where two more prized LIV Golf League spots await the top finishers. It is his final pathway to golf’s elite stage, and the 31-year-old two-time Philippine Open champion is approaching it with clarity and conviction.

“I’m coming into Promotions with a really strong mindset,” said Tabuena, who gained the exemption after finishing No. 3 in the year-end rankings of the Asian Tour International Series.

“Missing out in the Rankings race hurt, but it also motivated me. I know what’s at stake, and I know I can compete with anyone in that field,” he added. “It’s about staying patient, staying focused, and trusting the game that got me here.”

Before his direct exemption was confirmed, Tabuena said he was already satisfied simply to be “part of the conversation” for a potential LIV Golf qualification. But in truth, he was more than part of it—he became the central figure, the strongest contender for the second and final automatic berth into the lucrative league.

He even surged to No. 2 in the Order of Merit during the final round of the Saudi International, the 10th and decisive stop of the Asian Tour International Series. By the time he reached the turn, he was tied for fourth—exactly the position he needed to clinch the coveted LIV spot.

Then came the unraveling.

“I just got unlucky bounces coming in,” said Tabuena, reflecting on the late-round struggle that dropped him outside the qualifying zone, allowing Japan’s Yosuke Asaji to snatch the berth despite missing the cut in the $5-million event.

The sting was real.

“It stings quite a bit. I was in a good position the first five holes. I thought it would be much better than this,” he said. “I gave myself a chance and there was a chance until the last hole, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Still, he accepted the outcome with grace.

“It is what it is,” he added.

For Tabuena, even being in the thick of the fight—and staying there until the final hole of the season—was already a chapter worth celebrating.

“Being part of the conversation—to qualify for LIV Golf—and being in the best position to do that…to be part of that conversation is an achievement in itself,” he maintained.

Despite falling short of an outright berth, Tabuena’s season was anything but a disappointment. Finishing No. 3 in both the International Series Order of Merit and the Asian Tour OOM underscored his resurgence and consistency.

His year was a tapestry of highs, recovery moments. and resilience-building stretches. He tied for fifth at the Philippine Open, withdrew in India due to injury, followed by a rebound in New Zealand and Macau.

He posted a series of mixed results in Korea, Japan, Morocco and Indonesia and turned in a strong tied for fifth effort at the Yeangder TPC in Taiwan. He then withdrew in Macau to prioritize healing.

Then came the moment that redefined his year—and thrust him back into the LIV conversation.

Tabuena arrived at the inaugural International Series Philippines refreshed, healthy and hungry. He did more than compete—he dominated, capturing the $2-million championship with the kind of brilliance that wins major events and commands global attention.

“This season has been a highlight of my career,” he said. “Winning in the Philippines… that meant everything. To be in the mix this year for the LIV spots shows how far my game has come.”

And now, with Promotions on the horizon, he carries not frustration, but fuel.

“This year taught me how to handle pressure at the highest level. Promotions will be no different. I’m ready to give everything I have,” he said.

Tabuena may have missed the direct route, but the door to LIV Golf remains wide open. Round 2 of Promotions presents not just redemption, but destiny—a chance to transform a year of learning, near-misses, and triumphs into the breakthrough of his career.

And this time, he arrives stronger, wiser and more prepared than ever.