Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena made history on Wednesday by becoming the first Filipino to compete in the LIV Golf League, teeing it up at the 2026 season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 31-year-old carded a one-under-par 71 in the opening round of LIV Golf Riyadh while representing 4Aces GC, leaving him tied for 35th place and six shots behind joint leaders Thomas Detry and Peter Uihlein.
Originally named on the reserve list, the four-time Asian Tour winner earned a late call-up to Dustin Johnson’s team following the departure of Patrick Reed.
Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines is confirmed to be replacing Patrick Reed on Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC as a reserve for the opening event of the LIV Golf League season in Riyadh.
Miguel finished 3rd in The International Series Rankings after winning in front of his home… https://t.co/EFlefK8zAV pic.twitter.com/ECszXmw3iu
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) February 3, 2026
To ensure his availability for the Riyadh event, Tabuena made the difficult decision to forgo playing in front of a home crowd at the inaugural Philippine Golf Championship happening in the same week.
Taking to Instagram prior to LIV Golf Riyadh, Tabuena expressed his appreciation for the opportunity.
“[I am] extremely grateful to receive the call from LIV Golf to be a reserve player for some events this 2026 season,” he wrote.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be on site for LIV Golf Riyadh, and wherever else the season may take me.”
Tabuena will continue his LIV Golf debut on Thursday, where he is set to face Danny Lee and Cameron Tringale in the second round, live on SPOTV NOW.
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