Juvic, Murakami dislodge leaders

BINANGONAN, Rizal, Philippines  – Juvic Pagunsan switched into a winning mode again, shooting a five-under par 66 and sharing the lead with a charging Artemio Murakami, who fired an eagle-aided 67, in the second round of the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic at the Eastridge Golf Club here yesterday.

A double bogey mishap on the par-4 No. 15 marred what could’ve been another record feat by the smooth-swinging Pagunsan, who birdied seven of the first 14 holes in impressive fashion to jump from joint 13th to the top of the heap at 137 as erstwhile joint leader Arnold Villacencio stumbled with a one-over 72 and tumbled to third at 139.

The sizzling round thrust Pagunsan, who opened with a 71, into another shot at the crown worth P200,000 in the fourth leg of the 17-stage ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. He won the kickoff leg at Royal Northwoods, missed the cut at ICTSI Malarayat then whipped the field at Orchard, where he set a record nine-under 63 at the Palmer course in the final round to dominate the P2.5 million event, the richest leg so far in the four-year circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Murakami, who shot a 70 in the first round, actually wrested the lead with a solid 31 at the front but made a bogey on the 17th and dropped into a share of the lead with Pagunsan.

“I didn’t know that I have the lead before the 17th but I know I’m doing well,” said Murakami, seeking an end to a long title drought on the local tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“I miscalculated the wind completely on that hole,” said Murakami, adding that he needs to shoot a lower, better score today to stop the streaking Pagunsan.

“Juvic is really playing great golf this year,” he said.

Villacencio recovered from three straight bogeys from No. 9 with back-to-back birdies from No. 12, salvaging a one-over 72 and staying in the hunt for a breakthough win at 139, two shots behind, heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament.

Teener Miguel Tabuena, in his fifth tournament since turning pro last March, shot a second straight 70 to trail the joint leaders by three with a 140, the same output turned in by Jhonnel Ababa and the comebacking Marvin Dumandan, who both fired 69s.

Tabuena, who underwent a swing change through British coach Shane Ward, actually had the chance to close in the leaders but dropped a shot on the final hole.

“I’m starting to get comfortable with my new swing, it’s my patience that I’m trying to improve on,” said Tabuena, a silver medalist in last year’s Guangzhou Asian Games.

Richard Sinfuego, who shared the opening day lead with Villacencio with 67s, floundered with a 74 and slipped to 141 into the company of last leg’s runner-up Elmer Salvador, who had a 70, Rufino Bayron, who hobbled with a 72, and Ferdie Aunzo, who carded a 68.

The event is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.