Juvic ties Mickelson at 14th, earns P3.1 million

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan missed turning in a top 10 finish in the Singapore Open with a double bogey on the par-5 No. 4 as he settled for a three-under 68 but finished tied with world No. 2 Phil Mickelson at 14th in the $5 million event ruled by Englishman Ian Poulter yesterday.

Pagunsan, who bounced back from an opening 74 with back-to-back 69s, birdied three of the first six holes at the back where he teed off, lost a stroke on No. 16 then resumed his bid for a top 10 finish with two birdies in the first three holes at the front.

But the lone Filipino survivor in the stellar field made a double-bogey bogey on No. 4 and needed to birdie the seventh to complete a 35-33 round.

Still, it was good enough for Pagunsan, who was joint 14th at four-under 280, matching Mickelson’s output after a 71, worth $67,785 (P3.18 million). Other 280 scorers were Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee (69), Justin Rose of England (68), South African Ernie Els (72), San Hutsby of England (72) and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (69).

Poulter carded a one-over 72 but still won the crown with a 274 worth $833,330, nipping Liang Wen Chong by one. The Chinese shotmaker shot a 70 and settled for runner-up honors with a 275 worth $555,550 while Australians Adam Scott (68) and Scott Hend (69) finished tied for third with 276s. Each took home $281,500.