Juvic seizes lead with solid 67

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan fired a bogey-free five-under 67 to wrest a one-stroke lead over Swede Jarmo Sandelin halfway through the Bali Open at the New Kuta Golf in Bali, Indonesia yesterday.

Priming up for next week’s star-studded Singapore Open, to be headed by reigning world No. 1 Lee Westwood and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, the smooth-swinging Pagunsan bucked the wind and the tough pin placements at the backside where he started, holing out with a birdie on the par-5 18th before gunning four at the front for a 32-35 card.

“I played well and all parts of my game clicked. I made a lot of putts inside of 10 feet and it’s nice when this happens,” said Pagunsan, who surged ahead of the field with a 139, counting his even par 72 Wednesday.

“The course was not easy with the winds blowing but I hit it really good. This is good preparation for me as well for the Barclays Singapore Open next week,” said Pagunsan, who bagged the Mercedes-Benz Order of Merit crown with a joint fifth-place finish in last week’s season-ending Indonesia leg.

Sandelin, playing on a sponsor’s invite, moved into contention with a 69 and a 140 while Japan’s Masaki Sakata shot a 68 and a 141 for third. Singapore amateur Lam Zhiqun shot a 70 for joint fourth at 143 with Australian Richard Moir, who matched par 72.

First round leader and local bet Rory Hie, stumbled to a 74 and dropped to a share of sixth with Simon Dunn of Scotland, who fired a 69, at 144.

Michael Bibat, the only other Filipino in the tournament, struggled with a four-over 76 and slid to joint 21st at 150, 11 strokes off Pagunsan.

The Filipino ace shotmaker hopes to pull away from the field as he takes on Sandelin and Sakata in the featured flight at 8:55 a.m. on No. 1.