Miguel Tabuena has admitted that a chance to play on the LIV Golf League was “nowhere near my radar” just over two weeks ago.

That all changed when he claimed the International Series Philippines – for one of his country’s greatest sporting triumphs – to shoot up into second place on The International Series Rankings.

At that time only the winner of the rankings qualified for the league but earlier this week it was announced the top two will go through next year.

Tabuena sits in second behind Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent with just two events to go: this week’s Moutai Singapore Open and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers the week after next.

“Yeah, was nowhere near my radar before the Philippines, for sure,” he said today at a press conference before the Moutai Singapore Open tees off tomorrow on the New Course at Singapore Island Country Club.

“But after that week at home, it certainly is. Now it [qualifying for LIV Golf] is not something that I have to force to happen, you know. It’s not something you should force to happen. It’s something where you have to stick to your game plan, stick to what works for you, your process, your recovery, and just let everything happen on its own. No, you can’t really force it. Well, you can’t. You have to let it happen and be free on the golf course.”

Success in the Philippines, his fourth win on the Asian Tour and first on The International Series, rocked the nation – with fans telling him “It made me proud to be a Filipino again.”

He won it by three shots, roared on by huge local support.

“It was a special week, a couple of weeks ago. It was nice to get an International Series event under my belt. I’ve wanted that since it started four years ago, and it was nice that I was able to do it back home.

“Game wise, I struggled a bit the last couple of days in Hong Kong, but I was able to post a decent score. So, I’m not as worried, but I am pretty tired. You know, it’s very mentally draining when you come up on top.

“We’re here in Singapore. I love coming back to Singapore. We were here two years ago at a different golf course, but it’s nice to be back. Albeit a different golf course, totally different golf course.”

He has a fine record in Singapore’s national Open: he was fourth in 2016 and eighth in 2018.

LIV Golf also confirmed they will change their format to four rounds next year.

Tabuena is not racing ahead with his plans, but on that news he said: “Shotgun starts are different, but that’s fine. I just have to keep my head down and let my golf do the talking. Whether it’s three or four rounds, we’re still competing against the best players in the world.”

On the idea of playing team golf he added: “I’ve played the Asian Games and the Olympics, but never college golf — and I think that’s the closest comparison. I think I’d love it.

“After almost 15 years as a pro, it would be nice to play for something more than just yourself. But I’m not getting ahead of myself — if that time comes, I’ll give you a better answer then.”

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.