Pagunsan sets pace with flawless 66

BACOLOD – Juvic Pagunsan churned out an expected fine round of bogey free, four-under 66 under ideal condition at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club then watched Tony Lascuna and Rufino Bayron fumble at the finish to seize the solo lead at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here Wednesday.

Pagunsan birdied four of the first 12 holes in impressive style and rescued pars from the bunkers three times, including at the par-5 18^thfrom 10 feet that capped a 33-33 round fashioned out in the privacy of a windless early morning flight.

“It’s a good start although I’m still getting the feel of my new irons,” said Pagunsan, who brandished a new set of Ping irons he used only last week when he finished joint 11^th in the ASEAN PGA Tour leg in Malaysia.

He also bucked an eye allergy that kept him out of the pro-am tournament Tuesday although Pagunsan’s hold of the early lead was threatened by at least two rivals, including Bayron, who birdied the first four holes only to falter with two bogeys in the last three holes for a 68.

Lascuna took the challenger’s role with a 67, his bid for a share of the lead was ruined with a three-putt bogey mishap at the par-3 No. 8 on his way home.

“Nakakapanibago ang greens, medyo mabagal,” rued Lascuna, who upstaged Pagunsan in Malaysia by finishing eighth.

Anthony Fernando, who led his team to the pro-am win, caught up with Bayron in third at 68 on a four-birdie, two-bogey stint while local bet Robert Pactolerin flashed his familiarity with the tight layout to fire a 69 in a tie with Gene Bondoc and Mars Pucay.

Short by the pros’ standards, the par-70 layout still held its ground and yielded just seven under par rounds while six others matched par as the rest struggled on its slow surface all day.

Rodrigo Cuello, another local talent, led the 70 scorers who included rookie Carl Santos-Ocampo, Joel Opaco, James Ryan Lam, Cookie La’O and Mhark Fernando.

Jessie Balasabas rallied with a 32 at the front to salvage a 71 to join the big bunch that includes the other fancied players in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc.

Marvin Dumandan, winner of three legs last year, overcame a triple-bogey start as he drove out of bounds twice at the winding par-4 No. 1, a double bogey on No. 4 and two bogeys with six birdies, including three straight from No. 5.

Elmer Salvador is also in the mix with a 32-39 round along with Ferdie Aunzo, Richard Sinfuego and unfancied Rey Bolano, Ramonito Ortega, Rodulfo Aldimer, Godofredo Sinfuego and Ruben Sasutil.

The 54-hole event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)