Poor putting slows down Pagunsan

CARMONA — A day after he flashed a near-flawless putting touch, Rey Pagunsan flubbed makeable birdie putts which could’ve anchored his breakaway bid as he settled for a three-under par 69 yesterday and set up what promises to be a weekend shootout in the MRT-Southwoods Open here.

Nine missed birdie putts inside six feet, including a couple of three-footers, typified the struggle of Pagunsan on the glass-top putting surface of the Manila Southwoods’ Masters layout but the 32-year-old Japan PGA Tour-bound pro refused to crack up and spiked his 34-35 round with a lead-preserving birdie from eight feet on No. 1, his closing hole in the shotgun style, 36-hole pro-am event.

With a 133 aggregate, which included a bogey-free 64 Thursday, Pagunsan remained on top with a one-shot lead although he has to contend with the most fancied player in the fold and a former national teammate and two-time national champion itching to prove his worth in big-time golf.

Cassius Casas kept the momentum of a birdie-birdie-birdie (68) windup Thursday as he turned in the day’s best score of 66, highlighted by another three-birdie splurge from No. 15, to close within a stroke at 134.

That was the same output put in by Richard Sinfuego, whose scrambling round of a second straight 67 sparked hopes of a successful weekend for the talented 29-year-old Canlubang pro, who unlike Casas and Pagunsan, had been trying to come up with a solid finish in a bid to lure sponsors who would help finance a dream campaign abroad.

"Masama ang putting, nawala yung feel," said Pagunsan, who muffed birdie putts from 12 feet on Nos. 7 and 12, from eight feet on Nos. 4 and 9, from four feet on Nos. 11, 12 and 15, and from 3 feet on Nos. 1 and 18.

Still, those failed to dampen Pagunsan’s spirit as he rolled in an 8-footer on the par 4 No. 1 to stay on top. "Nandoon pa rin yung palo at confidence."

But his ball-striking and confidence will be put to test starting today as he will be paired with Casas and Sinfuego, both noted long-hitters, in the featured flight among the surviving 33-man field.

Casas, who dominated the local tour from 1997 until it was scrapped last year, took advantage of the ideal playing condition despite the presence of the winds as he strung up nines of 35-31 to move into contention.

His round, however, was marred by a double-bogey on the par 4 No. 7 when his 2-iron drive was swept by the winds into the rough. He went for the green with a 7-iron but the ball fell into a ditch although he managed to get out of the hazard. He three-putted for 6.

Putting woes likewise hounded Sinfuego as he closed out his 34-33 round with two three-putts, including on No. 7 which could’ve given him a share of the lead. He, however, made up with superb recoveries as Sinfuego saved five pars in six times that he went out of regulation.

"Kailangan na ring manalo para mayroong mag-sponsor," said Sinfuego, one of the best local players not given too many a chance to compete abroad.

A major shakeup is also expected as the organizers of the event, sponsored by Metro Rail Transit, Camp John Hay Development Corp., College Assurance Plan and Fil-Estate Group of Companies, will be adjusting the tee mounds of key holes in the final two days after using the blue tees for the pro-am event.

Casas, incidentally, also steered his partnership with Manila Southwoods chair Bob Sobrepeña to the victory in the pro-am with a 125 after a 61. They nipped the Sinfuego-Emilio Tuason tandem (62) in the countback.

Meanwhile, Roger Antonio carded a 69 for a 142 as he beat Mario Siodina (73) by three strokes for the seniors plum. Both players advanced to the final 36 holes after making the cut at 151.