STA. ROSA, LAGUNA — Former champion Micah Shin emerged as the lone player under par after a grueling second round at The Country Club (TCC) Invitational on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
As powerful winds transformed the tournament into a test of survival, the American-Korean golfer—who was born in Davao and honed his skills at Apo Golf—carded a steady one-under-par 71. This brought his two-day total to 142, giving him a three-stroke cushion heading into the third round.
Round 2 Highlights
- Resilience in the Back Nine: Shin secured his lead during a demanding four-hole stretch on the back nine, where he picked up birdies on the 12th, 14th, and 15th holes. “To be honest, I didn’t expect to lead,” Shin admitted after the round.
- Survival of the Fittest: After five players broke par during ideal conditions on Tuesday, the shifting winds on Wednesday caused scores to soar for the rest of the field.
- The Chasing Pack: Shin currently leads a formidable group of four players tied at 145 (+1):
- Miguel Tabuena: The International Series Philippines champion struggled with five bogeys to finish with a 73.
- Guido van der Valk: The first-round leader (67) fell back after a difficult 78, including a double bogey and six bogeys.
- Clyde Mondilla: Shot a 77 after a strong opening round.
- Jung Jae-hyun (South Korea): Carded a 74 to remain in contention.
Tournament Context The second round proved to be a “sad story” for many of Tuesday’s top performers. The trio of Van der Valk, Mondilla, and Jung, who all fired sub-par rounds on the first day, combined for a staggering 13-over-par on Wednesday.
The TCC Invitational is known as one of the most prestigious and “richest” local golf tournaments in the Philippines, often serving as a definitive test of precision and mental toughness. As the field narrows and the weather remains unpredictable, Shin’s experience as a former TCC champion provides him with a significant psychological edge.
The third round begins today at the TCC course in Laguna, with all eyes on whether Shin can maintain his consistency or if the local favorites like Tabuena and Mondilla can mount a comeback.