Silang, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan produced one of his best performances in perhaps one of the toughest conditions he had ever faced, coming through with a mind-boggling four-birdie binge at the finish for a 67 that turned what had seemed to be a wild title chase to a virtual romp in the rain-hit ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday.
All looked at an unpredictable ending to a long day marred by three rain delays and gale-force winds with Pagunsan barely clinging to a two-stroke lead over Tony Lascuña and a charging Ferdie Aunzo with a bogey on the long par-3 No. 12.
But he quickly dashed their hopes with that explosive windup anchored on solid iron game, birdying No. 13 from 10 feet, adding two more from close range before capping his run with a 15-foot putt on No. 16 that left his rivals in awe and the outcome of the P2.5 million tournament practically beyond doubt with a 207 aggregate.
For his six-shot lead could prove to be too tough for Aunzo to overcome with just 18 holes to play in the 72-hole championship that stirred so much interest despite Pagunsan wresting control in the first 36 holes with a 68 and 72 as severe playing conditions kept the toughest in the hunt and the rest out of contention.
Until Pagunsan recalled his fierce form and proved he’s still a cut above the rest.
But the soft-spoken Negrense opted to downplay his chances, saying no lead is safe on a course as tough as Langer and against a field that
“Kapit lang. Hindi pa ako nakakasiguro dito hanggang matapos. Anything can happen here,” said Pagunsan, all set and fired up to nail a record fourth win in row after sweeping the last Visayan legs in Bacolod, Negros and Iloilo last June.
Aunzo found the wet conditions to his liking, producing a gutsy run of pars and birdies on Nos. 12, 14 and 18 from close range.
He came out with the day’s lone bogey-free card but faced too tough a task despite an even 213 total.
“I just got lucky at the back after the rain,” said the former amateur hotshot out to snap a long slump in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Lascuña, just two off Pagunsan with Japanese Keisuke Takahashi and Dutch Guido Van der Valk after 36 holes, kept Pagunsan in sight with an even par card after 12 holes. But the former three-time PGT Order of Merit winner failed to match Pagunsan’s hot finish and even dropped a stroke on No. 14. He ended up with a 72 and slipped to third at 217.
Takahashi and Van der Valk hobbled with similar 74s and remained tied but now at fourth at 216 with Clyde Mondilla, the reigning Philippine Open champion, also fumbling with a 74 for sixth at 217.
Rupert Zaragosa blew a three-under frontside with three bogeys in the last eight holes, finishing with an even par 71 for a six-over 218 while Arnold Villacencio carded a 72 and tied Anthony Fernando (73) and Jhonnel Ababa (75) at 219 heading to the final round of the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc.