Cyna Rodriguez shot a one-under 70 while Jayvie Agojo matched par 71 as the
former Philippine Ladies Open champions stayed on course for the match play
berths in the Women’s Western Golf Association Championship at the Sawgrass
Country Club in Florida Tuesday.
Rodriquez, an incoming junior at the Univ. of Southern California, overcame a
bogey-bogey start with three birdies inside 10 feet in the next seven holes,
finishing with a 35-35 round at the par-71, 6,162-yard layout at the Ponte Vedra
Beach.
That put the top ICTSI-backed bet in joint second with Florida’s Meghan Stasi
and Victoria Trapani, four shots behind another local bet Victoria Tanco, who
sizzled with a 66 at the start of the 36-hole stroke play qualifier.
Agojo, a graduate at Pepperdine U, hit just two greens in regulation at the
front but leaned on her superb short game to salvage a 37-34 card on a
two-birdie, two-bogey stint for joint fifth.
“Cyna and Jayvie played solid despite a shaky start. Cyna putted very well,
making just 27 putts, and Jayvie was impressive with her recoveries in the first
nine holes,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.
Over in California, Andie Unson strung up nines of 36-38. Including two birdies
against three bogeys, for a one-over par 74 at the par-73 Madera Golf and
Country Club to finish joint sixth and clinch a spot in the US Girls’ Juniors
Championship slated July 18-23 at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia,
Illinois.
Four other ICTSI-backed bets remained in contention for slots in the match play
phase in the WWGA tilt with Sunshine Baraquiel carding a 76 for joint 33rd,
Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of the recent Sarawak Am Open, and Daniella Uy turning
in identical 78s for a share of 41st and Dabawenya Sarah Ababa in joint 51st despite a
so-so 79.
The top 64 players from the starting field of 136 will advance to the knockout
stage of the event which Dottie Ardina failed to annex after settling for
runner-up finishes in the last two years.PR
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thai humbles Bacolod, Davao aces
Thai ace Thanyakon Khrongpha bested the cream of the country’s pro golf by winning the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship, closing out with an eagle-spiked five-under 67 for a three-shot victory over Juvic Pagunsan of Bacolod at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Saturday.
Not even a final hole bogey could stop the 21-year-old Khrongpha from humbling the local field and pocketing the hotly-disputed crown worth $8,126 as he built enough cushion with a scorching five-under 31 at the front to rule the rain-interrupted 72-hole championship.
He wound up with a 15-under 273, launching his fightback from the middle of the pack with a fiery six-under 66 in the weather-delayed third round to tie Tony Lascuna of Davao at the helm early Saturday then kept the momentum with that 31 that featured three straight birdies from No. 5 and highlighted by an eagle-3 on the par-5 ninth.
That blazing start put Khrongpha five shots clear off Lascuna, the solo second round leader, who struggled with his putting early on while settling for an even 36 after nine holes. Lascuna birdied two of the first five holes coming home but ran out of holes in his comeback bid and like Khrongpha, bogeyed the final hole for a 71 to yield the runner-up honors to Pagunsan.
Juvic Pagunsan, who with teener Miguel Tabuena bounced back to within one off Khrongpha and Lascuna at the start of the final round of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., found his win streak snap despite a three-under 69, ending up three strokes behind Khrongpha with a 12-under 276 worth $5,616.
Lascuna, 40, wound up with a 277 for third worth $3,151 while the 16-year-old Tabuena finished solo fourth at 279 after a 72 marred by three straight bogeys from No. 14. He took home $2,551.
Eight other local bets followed suit, none able to scuttle Khrongpha’s title bid with Rufino Bayron, another Dabawenyo, placing fifth with a 280 after a 68 worth $2,051.
Jay Bayron, the reigning Order of Merit champion on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and brother of Rufino, strung up four birdies in the first five holes at the back, including three straight from No. 10, but bogeyed two of the last four for a 70. He wound up sixth with a 281 and received $1,801.
Khrongpha’s victory also kept Thailand’s domination of 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., which Chawalit Plaphol ruled last year with an eight-stroke romp of Pagunsan.
Dabawenyo Elmer Salvador and Jerson Balasabas finished joint seventh with 282 after a 69 and 70, respectively, while Jhonnel Ababa bogeyed four of the first five holes for a 74, ending up tied for ninth with 2007 champion Mars Pucay, who eagled the par-5 17th but wound up with an even par 72, at 283.
“I played really well. My only mistake was on the 16th where I hit my tee shot out of bounds,” said Thanyakon after turning in a 66 in the third round.
The Thai golfer from Konkan, who nipped Jay Bayron in sudden death to win the Kariza Indonesia Championship of the ASEAN PGA Tour last year, turned pro at the beginning of last year after a stellar season on the amateur circuit winning the Malaysian and Thailand Amateur Championships.
While Pagunsan, Lascuna and Tabuena gutted it out in the featured local flight, Khrongpha frolicked in a group that included compatriot Panuwat Muenlek and Balasabas, hitting three straight birdies from No. 5 before capping his romp with an eagle on No. 9.
With Pagunsan and Tabuena making identical 34s and Lascuna matching par 36 at the turn, Khrongpha found himself four clear off Pagunsan and Tabuena and five ahead of Lascuna, playing virtually pressure at the back where he dropped a stroke on the par-3 11th but hit another birdie on No. 13 before holing out with a birdie-bogey finish for the win.[PR]
Friday, June 10, 2011
Davao's Lascuna surges to 3-shot lead with fiery 66
Dabawenyo Tony Lascuna roared with an explosive windup at the front with a 31 en route to a six-under 66 as he slipped past erstwhile joint leaders Juvic Pagunsan and Miguel Tabuena for a three-stroke lead halfway through the rain-interrupted $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Friday.
Lascuna bounced back from a missed-green bogey mishap on No. 12 with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 then sizzled at the front with five birdies in the last six holes, including three straight from No. 7, that put the dusky shotmaker way ahead of the field at eight-under 136.
“I made a lot of putts and played some great irons shots,” said Lascuna, a perennial runner-up on the ASEAN PGA Tour still in search of the big one.
But the big ones are also in hot pursuit of the top $8,126 purse in this second leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour with Pagunsan and Tabuena, who shared the lead with a pair of 68s in the rain-suspended first round, slowing down with another pair of 71s despite improved weather conditions for 139s.
“In the morning I played great but it was hard going in the wet conditions. The course is playing long but as the greens are soft it means you can attack the pins. I just didn’t strike it so well in the second round,” said Pagunsan, who had four birdies against three bogeys after a bogey-free 68 in the rain-suspended opener.
Dutch Guido Van der Valk, another perennial contender on the local tour, and Mars Pucay, winner here in 2007, both fired 69s to join Pagunsan and Tabuena in second while four players, led by Jhonnel Ababa, stood at 140, four shots adrift of Lascuna.
Ababa, the former amateur hotshot seeking a breakthrough win on his rookie year like Tabuena, matched Lascuna’s flawless 31 at the front as he shot a 67 for joint sixth with another rookie pro Jerson Balasabas, who carded a second straight 70.
Thais Thanyakon Khrongpha and Panuwat Muenlek also stayed in the title hunt with a 70 and 71, respectively, as they tied Ababa and Balasabas in sixth place heading into the last 36 holes of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
After two days of rains, the weather improved a bit although the field still played under overcast skies and preferred lies rules with 57 players making the cut at 150, including Cassius Casas and Benjie Magada, who barely advanced to the weekend play with 79-71 and 77-73, respectively.
Arnold Villacencio, joint third in last week’s ICTSI Eastridge Classic of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, turned in a 69 for joint 10th with amateur Jobim Carlos, carding a 70, at 141, while Carito Villaroman, who fired a bogey-less 69 in the first round, fumbled with a 73 and dropped to 142 in a tie with Erwin Arcillas, who made a second straight 71.
Jay Bayron, joint ninth in the Pattaya Open, the first leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour, rallied with a 69 but stood too far behind at 145, nine strokes off the 40-year-old Lascuna.
With only half of the surviving field expected to finish the third round at presstime, the rest will resume theirs at 7 a.m. today (Saturday) with the final round firing off at 7:30 a.m., according to rulesman Henry Arabelo.
The tournament is 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.PR
Lascuna bounced back from a missed-green bogey mishap on No. 12 with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 then sizzled at the front with five birdies in the last six holes, including three straight from No. 7, that put the dusky shotmaker way ahead of the field at eight-under 136.
“I made a lot of putts and played some great irons shots,” said Lascuna, a perennial runner-up on the ASEAN PGA Tour still in search of the big one.
But the big ones are also in hot pursuit of the top $8,126 purse in this second leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour with Pagunsan and Tabuena, who shared the lead with a pair of 68s in the rain-suspended first round, slowing down with another pair of 71s despite improved weather conditions for 139s.
“In the morning I played great but it was hard going in the wet conditions. The course is playing long but as the greens are soft it means you can attack the pins. I just didn’t strike it so well in the second round,” said Pagunsan, who had four birdies against three bogeys after a bogey-free 68 in the rain-suspended opener.
Dutch Guido Van der Valk, another perennial contender on the local tour, and Mars Pucay, winner here in 2007, both fired 69s to join Pagunsan and Tabuena in second while four players, led by Jhonnel Ababa, stood at 140, four shots adrift of Lascuna.
Ababa, the former amateur hotshot seeking a breakthrough win on his rookie year like Tabuena, matched Lascuna’s flawless 31 at the front as he shot a 67 for joint sixth with another rookie pro Jerson Balasabas, who carded a second straight 70.
Thais Thanyakon Khrongpha and Panuwat Muenlek also stayed in the title hunt with a 70 and 71, respectively, as they tied Ababa and Balasabas in sixth place heading into the last 36 holes of the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
After two days of rains, the weather improved a bit although the field still played under overcast skies and preferred lies rules with 57 players making the cut at 150, including Cassius Casas and Benjie Magada, who barely advanced to the weekend play with 79-71 and 77-73, respectively.
Arnold Villacencio, joint third in last week’s ICTSI Eastridge Classic of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, turned in a 69 for joint 10th with amateur Jobim Carlos, carding a 70, at 141, while Carito Villaroman, who fired a bogey-less 69 in the first round, fumbled with a 73 and dropped to 142 in a tie with Erwin Arcillas, who made a second straight 71.
Jay Bayron, joint ninth in the Pattaya Open, the first leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour, rallied with a 69 but stood too far behind at 145, nine strokes off the 40-year-old Lascuna.
With only half of the surviving field expected to finish the third round at presstime, the rest will resume theirs at 7 a.m. today (Saturday) with the final round firing off at 7:30 a.m., according to rulesman Henry Arabelo.
The tournament is 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.PR
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Juvic, Tabuena share lead with 68s
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| PAGUNSAN |
 |
| BONDOC |
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| BAYRON |
Juvic Pagunsan lived up to the hype, firing a stirring bogey-free 68 in wet conditions to take control of the field in the rain-suspended first round of the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Thursday.
Miguel Tabuena also charged home with a four-under card to tie the fancied Pagunsan at the helm, one stroke clear of Thai Panuwat Muenlek, in a solid start for the 16-year-old find seeking his first pro win on his rookie year.
Pagunsan holed out with a birdie on the par-5 ninth to slip past Thai
Panuwat Muenlek, who momentarily seized the solo lead with a three-under 69 until the two Filipino bets came through with their 68s to move on top.
Tabuena used a fiery frontside stint to put himself in early contention, birdying four of the last five holes for a 32. He slowed down a bit at the back, dropping a stroke on the par-5 14th but recovering the stroke with a birdie on No. 16.
Veteran campaigner Tony Lascuna birdied the par-5 17th to tie Jerson Balasabas, the former amateur hotshot, Mars Pucay, Gene Bondoc, the pro-am winner, and Thais Khrongpha Thanyakon, Prathummanee Atthaphon and Apichart Papitak and Dutch Guido Van Der Valk at two-under 70 in preferred lies rule while unfancied Erwin Arcillas turned in his best start in years – a 71 that tied him with another Thai bet Chaisri Borworn.
Joe Rates, Arnold Villacencio and Elmer Saban matched par 72s for joint sixth with Supravee Phatam and Ekkalak Waisayangkul of Thailand in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Inclement weather forced the suspension of the first round of the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour Wednesday with the starting 90-player field resuming play at 6:30 a.m. yesterday. The first half were to finish its second round late yesterday and the rest to resume early today before the third round action.
Marvin Dumandan closed out with back-to-back birdies at the front to salvage a one-over 73 in a tie with Robert Pactolerin, Jhonnel Ababa, Anthony Fernando and Thai Pornpong Phatlum while another shot farther back at 73 were Randy Garalde, Ernie Rellon, Mhark Fernando, Ferdie Aunzo, Antolin Fernand and Michael Bibat.
Elmer Salvador, winner of the Philippine Open here in 2009, sputtered with a 75 despite a closing eagle on No. 9 while Jay Bayron, who had three runner-up finishes in last year’s ASEAN circuit, wavered in his homeward trip at the front and wound up with a 39 for a 76.
Pagunsan, however, made sure things wound turn out right for the streaking Filipino shotmaker, who swept the last two legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.
He birdied Nos. 16 and 18 at resumption of play then made a couple of par-saving putts at the front before hitting another pair of birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to preserve the lone bogey-free round in the tournament 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.PR
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Rains wash out ICTSI-Malarayat golf
Heavy downpour halted play in the first round of the $50,000 ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship with around 25 players out of the starting field of 89 completing just five holes at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas, Wednesday.
“We called off the round at 3 p.m. due to continuous rains. No way the course could hold up to resume play,” said rulesman Henry Arabelo.
He added that those who were able to play five holes will resume their respective rounds at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday with the rest to play 36 holes in what could turn out to be a test of endurance.
Fancied Juvic Pagunsan was among those stranded at the clubhouse as he was set to tee off at 11:35 a.m. at the backside with Thai ace Atthaphon Prathummanee and Jun Bernis.
Pagunsan is tipped to contend for the top $8,126 purse in the 72-hole championship, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., which serves as the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour owing to his fine form that produced back-to-back victories on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour the last three weeks.
He won one leg on the ASEAN circuit last year and went on to top the Order of Merit derby with earnings of $25,450 after playing in seven of 10 events.
But he faces a tough challenge this week, not only from the crack Thailand contingent but also from the local side headed by Jay Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo, Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas, Richard Sinfuego, Orlan Sumcad, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando and Marvin Dumandan.
Prathummanee, runner-up to compatriot Prom Meesawat in the tour’s inaugurals last month in Thailand, heads a strong 21-player Thai contingent, including Thanyakon Khrongpha, Wisut Artjanawat, Wiitawan Sae-ung, Ronnachai Jamnong, Ekalak Waisayakul and Panuwat Muenlek.PR
“We called off the round at 3 p.m. due to continuous rains. No way the course could hold up to resume play,” said rulesman Henry Arabelo.
He added that those who were able to play five holes will resume their respective rounds at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday with the rest to play 36 holes in what could turn out to be a test of endurance.
Fancied Juvic Pagunsan was among those stranded at the clubhouse as he was set to tee off at 11:35 a.m. at the backside with Thai ace Atthaphon Prathummanee and Jun Bernis.
Pagunsan is tipped to contend for the top $8,126 purse in the 72-hole championship, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., which serves as the second leg of the ASEAN Golf Tour owing to his fine form that produced back-to-back victories on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour the last three weeks.
He won one leg on the ASEAN circuit last year and went on to top the Order of Merit derby with earnings of $25,450 after playing in seven of 10 events.
But he faces a tough challenge this week, not only from the crack Thailand contingent but also from the local side headed by Jay Bayron, Ferdie Aunzo, Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas, Richard Sinfuego, Orlan Sumcad, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando and Marvin Dumandan.
Prathummanee, runner-up to compatriot Prom Meesawat in the tour’s inaugurals last month in Thailand, heads a strong 21-player Thai contingent, including Thanyakon Khrongpha, Wisut Artjanawat, Wiitawan Sae-ung, Ronnachai Jamnong, Ekalak Waisayakul and Panuwat Muenlek.PR
Monday, June 6, 2011
Juvic heads local bid in $50,000 ASEAN tour
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| JUVIC PAGUNSAN |
Streaking Juvic Pagunsan tries add the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat crown to his growing list of victories as he leads the local challenge against a crack international field in the $50,0000 event firing off Wednesday, June 8 at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.
Pagunsan is coming off a one-stroke victory over Marvin Dumandan in last week’s ICTSI Eastridge Classic, his second straight and third overall after four legs of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, making him the top favorite in the second leg of this year’s ASEAN Golf Tour.
The smooth-swinging Filipino shotmaker actually finished second to Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand here last year where he lost by eight shots. But Pagunsan is playing on a zone right now and is tipped to contend for the crown and the top $8,126 prize in the 72-hole championship.
Jay Bayron, who wound up joint ninth in the ASEAN Golf Tour’s kickoff leg – the Pattaya Open – ruled by Thai Prom Meesawat last month, is also expected to join the title hunt along with last year’s third placer Ferdie Aunzo and the rest of the local tour campaigners.
They include Artemio Murakami, Tony Lascuna, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Cassius Casas, Richard Sinfuego, Orlan Sumcad, Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Anthony Fernando and Dumandan.
Thanyakon Khrongpha, Wisut Artjanawat, Panuwat Muenlek and Ekalak Waisayakul head the 20-player Thai roster in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. along with Singapore’s Ang Chin Ling, Brunei’s Wira Ak, Indonesian Johannes Dermawan and Dutch Guido Van der Valk.
The field will get to test the composite layout in today’s pro-am tournament featuring the leading pros with officials and guests of the sponsoring ICTSI.
Meanwhile, a number of established and new events has been lined up for the ASEAN Golf Tour this year, giving the region's top pros the opportunity to play for $685,000 total prize fund, which is over $100,000 more than last year, and compete in nine tournaments.
“Since launching the ASEAN PGA in September of 2007 we have been in the fortunate position to announce a strong schedule each year. We were able to stage five events in the latter stages of that memorable first year and today it is wonderful to have at least nine tournaments with an overall purse of US$685,000,” said A.C. Wong, executive chairman of the ASEAN PGA.
“The arrival of six new tournaments this year is a reflection of the interest and confidence that exists in the ASEAN PGA. More importantly this is wonderful news for the young professional golfers in ASEAN who have embraced our Tour since day one,” he added.
There is a huge incentive for ASEAN pros to succeed on the Tour with the top 10 players from the money list earning playing privileges on OneAsia and the leading seven gaining spots in the $6 million Barclays Singapore Open in November.PR
Friday, June 3, 2011
Juvic repulses Dabawenyo, wins again
BINANGONAN, Rizal – Juvic Pagunsan overcame Dabawenyo Marvin Dumandan’s fiery rally that featured two eagles and battled back from one stroke down in the last four holes to eke out a one-shot victory with a closing 67 in the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic here, Friday.
Pagunsan birdied No. 15 to draw level then made clutch putts in the last three holes to nip Dumandan, who three-putted No. 16 but shot a 65, and pocket his second straight victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and third overall in four tournaments.
He wound up with a nine-under 204 at the par-71 Eastridge Golf Club, taking another P200,000 that hiked his earnings in the early going of the 17-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to a whopping P850,000 total.
That included the P450,000 he won in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship two weeks ago where he closed out with a record setting 63 to beat Elmer Salvador by five.
He didn’t need another course mark to win again this week but instead showed resiliency in turning back a charging Dumandan and keeping his streak going in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
"I just waited for my chance and when it came, I didn't waste time to grab it," said Pagunsan in Filipino, during awards rites graced by Eastridge general manager Erwin Temena.
Dumandan, three down behind Pagunsan and a flight ahead of the championship group at the start of the final round, moved within one with a 32 after at the turn, spiked by a pitch-in eagle on the par-5 No. 2. He hit another eagle on No. 13 to seize a one-stroke lead over Pagunsan, who later parred the par-5 hole.
But Dumandan, who withdrew at the Orchard due to chest pains, missed a crucial par-putt from six feet on No. 15 then flubbed a tying six-foot birdie putt on the 18th to yield the crown. He finished with a 205 worth P120,000.
“My par putt lipped out on No. 15 and missed a short birdie putt on the 18th,” rued Dumandan, the winningest player with three legs wins last year. "But I'm still happy with my performance."
Erstwhile co-leader Artemio Murakami matched Pagunsan’s opening 34 and actually wrested control with back-to-back birdies from No. 10 but double-bogeyed No. 14 and made back-to-back bogeys from No. 16 agaisnt a birdie on the 15th for a 70, dropping to joint third with Ferdie Aunzo, who rallied with a 66, and first round leader Arnold Villacencio, who fought back with a 68, at 207.
Ruben Sasutil shot a 69 while rookie pro Miguel Tabuena matched par 71 as they shared sixth place at 211 while Rufino Bayron and Richard Sinfuego fired identical 71s for joint eighth at 212. Gene Bondoc and Randy Garalde both turned in a 69 to share 10th place with Gene Bondoc (69), Randy Garalde (69),
Robert Pactolerin (70), Elmer Salvador (72) and Jhonnel Ababa (73) at 213.
The event was 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.[PR]
Pagunsan birdied No. 15 to draw level then made clutch putts in the last three holes to nip Dumandan, who three-putted No. 16 but shot a 65, and pocket his second straight victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and third overall in four tournaments.
He wound up with a nine-under 204 at the par-71 Eastridge Golf Club, taking another P200,000 that hiked his earnings in the early going of the 17-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to a whopping P850,000 total.
That included the P450,000 he won in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship two weeks ago where he closed out with a record setting 63 to beat Elmer Salvador by five.
He didn’t need another course mark to win again this week but instead showed resiliency in turning back a charging Dumandan and keeping his streak going in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
"I just waited for my chance and when it came, I didn't waste time to grab it," said Pagunsan in Filipino, during awards rites graced by Eastridge general manager Erwin Temena.
Dumandan, three down behind Pagunsan and a flight ahead of the championship group at the start of the final round, moved within one with a 32 after at the turn, spiked by a pitch-in eagle on the par-5 No. 2. He hit another eagle on No. 13 to seize a one-stroke lead over Pagunsan, who later parred the par-5 hole.
But Dumandan, who withdrew at the Orchard due to chest pains, missed a crucial par-putt from six feet on No. 15 then flubbed a tying six-foot birdie putt on the 18th to yield the crown. He finished with a 205 worth P120,000.
“My par putt lipped out on No. 15 and missed a short birdie putt on the 18th,” rued Dumandan, the winningest player with three legs wins last year. "But I'm still happy with my performance."
Erstwhile co-leader Artemio Murakami matched Pagunsan’s opening 34 and actually wrested control with back-to-back birdies from No. 10 but double-bogeyed No. 14 and made back-to-back bogeys from No. 16 agaisnt a birdie on the 15th for a 70, dropping to joint third with Ferdie Aunzo, who rallied with a 66, and first round leader Arnold Villacencio, who fought back with a 68, at 207.
Ruben Sasutil shot a 69 while rookie pro Miguel Tabuena matched par 71 as they shared sixth place at 211 while Rufino Bayron and Richard Sinfuego fired identical 71s for joint eighth at 212. Gene Bondoc and Randy Garalde both turned in a 69 to share 10th place with Gene Bondoc (69), Randy Garalde (69),
Robert Pactolerin (70), Elmer Salvador (72) and Jhonnel Ababa (73) at 213.
The event was 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.[PR]
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Canadian golfer first woman ever to qualify for men's tour
This is awesome!
Check this report by Yahoo Sports:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/blog/canada/post/Canadian-golfer-first-woman-ever-to-qualify-for-?urn=top-358802
Check this report by Yahoo Sports:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/blog/canada/post/Canadian-golfer-first-woman-ever-to-qualify-for-?urn=top-358802
Pagunsan, Murakami storm ahead
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| Artemio Murakami |
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| Juvic Pagunsan |
BINANGONAN, Rizal – Juvic Pagunsan switched into a winning mode again, shooting a five-under par 66 and sharing the lead with a charging Artemio Murakami, who fired an eagle-aided 67, in the second round of the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic at the Eastridge Golf Club here, June 2.
A double bogey mishap on the par-4 No. 15 marred what could’ve been another record feat by the smooth-swinging Pagunsan, who birdied seven of the first 14 holes in impressive fashion to jump from joint 13th to the top of the heap at 137 as erstwhile joint leader Arnold Villacencio stumbled with a one-over 72 and tumbled to third at 139.
The sizzling round thrust Pagunsan, who opened with a 71, into another shot at the crown worth P200,000 in the fourth leg of the 17-stage ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. He won the kickoff leg at Royal Northwoods, missed the cut at ICTSI Malarayat then whipped the field at Orchard, where he set a record nine-under 63 at the Palmer course in the final round to dominate the P2.5 million event, the richest leg so far in the four-year circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Murakami, who shot a 70 in the first round, actually wrested the lead with a solid 31 at the front but made a bogey on the 17th and dropped into a share of the lead with Pagunsan.
“I didn't know that I have the lead before the 17th but I know I'm doing well," said Murakami, seeking an end to a long title drought on the local tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
"I miscalculated the wind completely on that hole," said Murakami, adding that he needs to shoot a lower, better score today to stop the streaking Pagunsan.
“Juvic is really playing great golf this year,” he said.
Villacencio recovered from three straight bogeys from No. 9 with back-to-back birdies from No. 12, salvaging a one-over 72 and staying in the hunt for a breakthough win at 139, two shots behind, heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament.
Teener Miguel Tabuena, in his fifth tournament since turning pro last March, shot a second straight 70 to trail the joint leaders by three with a 140, the same output turned in by Jhonnel Ababa and the comebacking Marvin Dumandan, who both fired 69s.
Tabuena, who underwent a swing change through British coach Shane Ward, actually had the chance to close in the leaders but dropped a shot on the final hole.
"I'm starting to get comfortable with my new swing, it's my patience that I'm trying to improve on," said Tabuena, a silver medalist in last year’s Guangzhou Asian Games.
Richard Sinfuego, who shared the opening day lead with Villacencio with 67s, floundered with a 74 and slipped to 141 into the company of last leg's runner-up Elmer Salvador, who had a 70, Rufino Bayron, who hobbled with a 72, and Ferdie Aunzo, who carded a 68
The event is 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.PR
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sinfuego, Villacencio share ICTSI Eastridge lead
Richard Sinfuego charged home with two birdies to fire a four-under 67 and catch unheralded Arnold Villacencio for the lead at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic, June 1, at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal Province.
With the big guns settling for oneunder or even par rounds, the lesserlights ran the show in the opener of the 54-hole tournament with Sinfuego sustaining a flawless frontside 33 with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 to negate a lone bogey mishap on No. 11.
Still, it was Sinfuego’s strongest start in years after the former amateur hotshot was disqualified, along with two others, from his last crack at the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour crown on a final hole infraction at the Del Monte Classic last year.
Earlier, the power-hitting Villacencio surprised the field with a solid 67, spiked by a closing 30 and highlighted by a pitch-in eagle from 70 yards on the par-4 No. 10.
The duo took a one-shot lead over another unfancied bet in Ruben Sasutil, who also rallied with a 33 at the back for a 68, while another shot back at 69 were Dabawenyos Elmer Saban and Rufino Bayron, who once won a pro tournament as an amateur.
The fiery windup was enough for Villacencio, whose best effort in the ICTSI-bankrolled Philippine Golf Tour was a joint third place finish at the ICTSI Classic in Malarayat last April, to seize the early lead with half of the field still to complete play.
Miguel Tabuena, the 16-year-old sensation gearing up for a breakthrough pro victory, rebounded from an opening 37 with a fiery 33 to tie Artemio Murakami, Dante Becierra and Joseph Labajo at 70.
Juvic Pagunsan, gunning for his second straight win after topping the ICTSI Orchard leg with a record setting final round 63 two weeks ago and third overall in four legs, turned in a one-birdie, one-bogey output to lead the nine-man group with even par 71s.PR
With the big guns settling for oneunder or even par rounds, the lesserlights ran the show in the opener of the 54-hole tournament with Sinfuego sustaining a flawless frontside 33 with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 to negate a lone bogey mishap on No. 11.
Still, it was Sinfuego’s strongest start in years after the former amateur hotshot was disqualified, along with two others, from his last crack at the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour crown on a final hole infraction at the Del Monte Classic last year.
Earlier, the power-hitting Villacencio surprised the field with a solid 67, spiked by a closing 30 and highlighted by a pitch-in eagle from 70 yards on the par-4 No. 10.
The duo took a one-shot lead over another unfancied bet in Ruben Sasutil, who also rallied with a 33 at the back for a 68, while another shot back at 69 were Dabawenyos Elmer Saban and Rufino Bayron, who once won a pro tournament as an amateur.
The fiery windup was enough for Villacencio, whose best effort in the ICTSI-bankrolled Philippine Golf Tour was a joint third place finish at the ICTSI Classic in Malarayat last April, to seize the early lead with half of the field still to complete play.
Miguel Tabuena, the 16-year-old sensation gearing up for a breakthrough pro victory, rebounded from an opening 37 with a fiery 33 to tie Artemio Murakami, Dante Becierra and Joseph Labajo at 70.
Juvic Pagunsan, gunning for his second straight win after topping the ICTSI Orchard leg with a record setting final round 63 two weeks ago and third overall in four legs, turned in a one-birdie, one-bogey output to lead the nine-man group with even par 71s.PR
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