Juvic repeats with 66, trails leader by two

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan put himself into contention with a second straight five-under 66, this time at Sentosa’s Serapong layout yesterday, moving past a host of world ranked players and closing to within two strokes off frontrunner James Morrison halfway through the rich Singapore Open yesterday.

Pagunsan, whose flawless eagle-spiked 66 at the nearby par-71 Tanjong layout netted him a joint eighth place effort in the first round, sustained his form in a weather-delayed round, hitting six birdies against a bogey on No. 13, his first black mark in a sterling 36-hole performance in the $6 million event featuring some of the world’s best players, including Phil Mickelson, Anthony Kim and Thongchai Jaidee.

The smooth-swinging Filipino shotmaker pooled a 132 to find himself chasing Morrison, who slowed down with a 68 after a brilliant nine-under 62 Thursday for a 130 heading to the final 36 holes of the island-state’s premier golfing event.

The Englishman actually sputtered with a 37 at the front but recovered his bearing and rattled off four birdies for a 31 to remain on top of the heap.

Pagunsan, the former Asian Tour top rookie who turned 33 last week, kept his charge despite a switch in courses, hitting back-to-back birdies from No. 4 before knocking down another on the par-5 No. 7.

He banged in another birdie on the 10th but failed to rescue a par on No. 13 for his first bogey before closing out with two birdies in the last three holes for a second 66.

Anders Hansen shot a 64 for a 133 while Italian Edoardo Molinari also stood at nine-under but with 14 holes left to play along with YE Yang of Korea who had a one-under card after six holes.

Jay Bayron, who shot a 69 Thursday, had a two-under card after four holes while Angelo Que fought back with a 68 after a 71 for a 139 and made the cut.

Elmer Salvador, who made a 71 in the first round, also rebounded with a three-under card after five holes and Mars Pucay had a two-under card overall after 10 holes while Tony Lascuna missed the cut with a 74 for a 143.