Tabuena wins Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Month for December

The Philippines' Miguel Tabuena has been voted as the Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of Month for December, following his exceptional performances on home soil last month, it was announced on Thursday.

The talented 21-year-old, who has been knocking on the winner's doors on several occasions on the Asian Tour, finally got his deserving win at the Philippine Open. In doing so, Tabuena also became the first Filipino to win his National Open since 2008.

"Winning the Philippine Open was a huge victory for my career last month. And knowing that I've won the Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Month has given me the motivation to do even better now.

"I'm happy that my hard work has not gone unnoticed by my fans and I'll continue to work harder in 2016. Without God, none of my success would be possible and I can't wait to see what he has in store for me in 2016," said Tabuena in a release.

Tabuena won the award ahead of Thailand's Phachara Khongwatmai and India's Himmat Rai. The trio were nominated by a selection panel before going into a voting process.

Phachara outshone several of the tournament's leading lights including Major winners Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson to finish outright sixth at the Thailand Golf Championship and also earned a place as one of the four qualifiers for next year's Open Championship.

Himmat meanwhile showed his battling spirit when he went on a final day charge to earn himself a place in a four-way play-off at the Ho Tram Open. Although he did not win, the Indian safely secured his Tour card for 2016 and regained his much-needed confidence with his best finish of the season.