Justin Quiban is in Thailand, his home for the next five weeks.
The 27-year-old just placed second in the Thailand Mixed Stableford Challenge at the par-73 St. Andrews 2000 in Rayong, Thailand on Friday.
He was the only foreigner in the Top 10, scoring 41 points, nine points behind winner Thai Jakraphan Premsirigorn.
James Ryan Lim finished in a tie for 45th place with 16 points.
Marvi Monsalve, the other Filipino in the mixed event, missed the cut by one.
The format awards two points for birdies and subtracts 1 point for bogeys.
“My long game wasn’t going too well but my short game and putting saved me,” said Quiban whose next tournament is the Asian Development Tour leg in Phuket.
He said he’s looking forward to a productive campaign in Thailand which offers an average prize of $100,000 (about P5.5 million).
“I’m just going to stick to my strengths, hit my wedges to makeable distance and try to hole putts,” Quiban said.
He said campaigning in Thailand is worth it because tournaments are held every week.
Quiban said making cuts will more or less pay for expenses, adding that he and Lam share the costs.
“There are some courses here which provide free use of the range and fairways for pros,” he said.
After playing four more tournaments in Thailand, Quiban said he has not thought of his long-term plans.
“Just trying to play more international events and try to contend,” he said.
