Pagunsan, Villaroman give golfers clear shot at go

KUALA LUMPUR (Via Globe Telecoms) —Juvic Pagunsan and Carmellete Villaroman got the Philippines on its way to keeping its winning tradition in Southeast Asian Games golf competition, priming themselves up for a sweep of the individual gold medals with sterling rounds at the Sungai Long Golf and Country Club course yesterday.

The World Amateurs veteran Pagunsan regained his rhythm after a two-over 74 in the second round, matching his 67 Monday as he once again turned the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout as a playground of his own to take a five-stroke lead in men’s competition going into the final round today.

Villaroman, who has had her golden moment in the Games as part of the title winning RP women’s team in 1995 in Chiang Mai, picked up her game after a 75 Tuesday, carding a two-under 70 to seize a stroke lead in the distaff side.

Pagunsan, 21, put together nines of 33-34 on seven birdies against two bogeys and went eight under after 54 holes, pushing himself five up on his second-round co-leader Thai Wisut Artjanawat who could do no better than an even 72 for a three-round haul of 213.

No one actually could keep in step with Pagunsan as he once again played well from tee to green, leaving more solidly built flightmates Artjanawat and Indonesian Indra Harmawan awe-struck.

Playing one flight ahead, Malaysian Shaaban Hussin was spared of pressure from Pagunsan, getting a two-under 70 to be at third place with a 215. Hermawan was at fourth after a 73 for 216.

Jay Bayron, with a 75-229, was at 17th, Joselito Zaragoza, 76-230, at 20th and Marvin Dumandan, 76-233, 22nd.

Villaroman turned in nines of 36-34 with five birdies against three bogeys as she surged ahead in the ladies competition.

She went one over after 36 holes for a stroke lead over Thai Titiya Plucksataporn with two others Malaysia’s Gunaningsih Budi Utomo and Thai Onnarin also dangerously close at three-over 147 and four-over 148.

Heidi Chua and Ruby Chico Walker made their own rally although they had appeared to be out of contention for the medals, thus, boosting the RP team’s stock for the ranking in the team event.

Chua fired a 73 for 151 and Chico 74 for 154.

After the individual play, competition shifts from stroke play to match-play in the team contest.