Tabuena makes ‘difficult’ decision of joining LIV promo over PGA qualifying
Miguel Tabuena is in Florida, where he will try to enter the LIV Golf scene outright starting this week in a qualifying tournament where only three—out of what could number to more than 80 players—will get slots for the coming season.
But here’s the catch, Tabuena knows that he will have to let go of his PGA Tour dream—at least for the next two years—just by joining LIV Golf Promotions that will be played at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11.
“I made a difficult choice between LIV Qualifying or the PGA Tour Q School,” Tabuena told the Inquirer over the phone, saying that part of his consideration was that he had already drawn a bye for the first round of the LIV Promotions series after performing so well in the International Series in 2025, when he finished third.
“I know there’s a (PGA) ban that will be imposed once one plays in LIV (circuit of qualifying),” Tabuena said. “I can’t even go to (PGA) events to try and Monday-qualify. So that’s it, basically. I will have to wait two years to give the PGA another try—unless their rules change.”
Playing in Florida was such an easy choice to make, actually, if how the dynamics of this qualifying series will go.
“I will just have to play three solid rounds to make the top three,” he explained, referring to the LIV Qualifying. “I like my chances better. So I’m giving LIV another go.”
Vying in the PGA Tour Q School would have Tabuena playing all four tournaments—a total of 15 rounds if he makes it all the way.
The 31-year-old, whose emotional IS Philippines triumph at Sta. Elena last October put him as high as No. 2 in the overall race for the two outright slots that were given after last year, is listed as among the marquee names seeing action.
Just short
Tabuena just missed punching a ticket for the 2026 LIV season by finishing third behind Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Yosuke Asaji of Japan by just a few thousand dollars, relegating the Filipino to the Promotions event.
“I feel like I am at the prime of my physical abilities,” Tabuena continued. “At the end of the day, I have to think of how best to provide for Sandra (wife) and (daughter) Paloma and LIV is the logical way to go.”
Tabuena knows that the Philippines still wants to see a homegrown and locally-raised Filipino earn full PGA Tour status.
Rico Hoey, who once represented the country in winning the Putra Cup at Sherwood Hills, is playing under the PH flag in the PGA Tour, but unlike Tabuena, Hoey grew up in the United States and his game was honed there.
He admits to that still being the dream.
“I will still be in the prime of my physical abilities (in two years), whatever happens (in LIV qualifying),” Tabuena said. “So who knows?
“I just need to keep playing well and that will take care of the rest.”
