Pagunsan regains lead over Lascuña, 2 others

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan battled back from a so-so second round stint with a four-under 68 as he regained a two-stroke lead over compatriot Tony Lascuña, Namchok Tantipokakul of Thailand and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia in the third round of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club in Indonesia yesterday.

Pagunsan, who took the first round lead with a 64 but reeled back with a 71 Thursday, rammed in seven birdies to negate his three-bogey mishap for a 34-34 card.

He pooled a 13-under 203 and is poised to claim the crown and the Order of Merit crown at the close of the 10-stage Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Pagunsan actually pounced on playing partner Fung’s two-stroke penalty for tapping down a spike mark to seize the solo lead.

The pair had both birdied the par-5 17th with similar putts from 10 feet and later finished tied for the lead. However, Pagunsan pointed out to Fung that he had touched his line with his putter and after careful discussion with officials the Malaysian’s four was changed to a six.

“It is a pity that happened but it is still wide open with everything to play for. I am playing really well and came here to win the Merit list. The Mercedes-Benz Tour is really growing and one day will be really big and so it would be great to say that I finished as the top ranked player,” said Pagunsan.

Lascuña, who fired a flawless 65 to seize the halfway lead, stayed on top at the turn with a 35. But he fumbled with a double-bogey on No. 15 against a birdie on the 17th for a 72 and a 205.

Tanpipokakul matched the output after a 68 while Fung, trying to snatch the OOM title from Pagunsan with a victory here, shot a 70.

Artemio Murakami also fired a 68 and moved up to eighth at 209 while Ferdie Aunzo also shot a 68 to force a three-way tie for ninth with Mohd Ismail, who had a 69, and Passamet Pogamnerd, who carded a 71, at 210.