Juvic Pagunsan captured his second ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour crown in three months in style, firing a course record nine-under par 63 and romping off with a five-shot victory over erstwhile leader Elmer Salvador of Davao City in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship at the Orchard’s Palmer course in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Friday.
Pagunsan spiked his brilliant, bogey-free round with an eagle on the par-5 No. 2, knocking in an eight-footer from a superb 6-iron shot from 192 yards that somehow portended the coming of an explosive day for the smooth-swinging shotmaker.
It did. And he didn’t only dominate the field. He routed them.
Four shots behind Salvador at the start of the final round, Pagunsan wiped out the deficit at the turn with a sizzling six-under 30 then went on to gun down three more birdies at the back of the par-72 layout he turned into a virtual playground.
His 63 gave him a 54-hole total of 15-under 201, beating Salvador by five and pocketing the top P450,000 purse, the richest ever staked in the four-year circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
The nine-under card erased the previous course mark of 65 set by Swede Robert Karlsen in the 1995 Johnnie Walker Classic and matched by Salvador in the second round Thursday that put him three shots ahead of Tony Lascuna with 18 holes to go.
Salvador, the former Philippine Open champion and 2009 ICTSI-PGT Order of Merit winner, actually had a fine start of a 34 and fell into a share of the lead with the charging Pagunan then yielded it altogether with a bogey on the 10th.
“This is one of my best rounds,” said the six-year pro, a former Asian Tour top rookie. “After nine holes, I knew I could win it.”
Salvador lost his rhythm and poise in the face of Pagunsan’s sustained charge at the back, holing out with another bogey for a 38 and a 72. He settled for second at 206 worth P320,000.
Lascuna, three shots behind Salvador after 36 holes, carded a 71 and wound up third with a 208 and took the P210,000 prize while former two-time Phl Open champion and first day joint leader Frankie Minoza rallied with a 69 to finish solo fourth at 209 worth P110,000 in the event backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.
Orland Sumcad also turned in one of his best finishes at No. 5, shooting a 70 for a 211, so did Gerald Rosales, another former Phl Open winner, who also carded a 70 for joint sixth with first day co-leader Jhonnel Ababa, who also made a 70, for 212s.
Anthony Fernando struggled with a 73 and wound up solo eighth at 213 while teener Miguel Tabuena, who made a 71, and Gene Bondoc, who shot a 73, finished tied for ninth at 214.
Zanie Boy Gialon, playing out of the ICTSI-The Country Club team, took the low amateur honors with a 215 after a 75 for joint 11th place with Michael Bibat, who had a 73, Ferdie Aunzo, who fired a 71, and Ross Bain, who shot a 70.
Jay Bayron, runner-up in last week’s Phl Open at Wack Wack, struggled with a 73 and wound up joint 15th at 216 with Charles Hong (69), Al Cruz (73), Angelo Que (74) and Antonio Asistio II (76). PR
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