Juvic trails by one with 6-under 66

MANILA, Philippines - After two forgettable stints on the Japan PGA Tour, Juvic Pagunsan showed his real worth, firing an eagle-spiked, bogey-free six under 66 to trail Toru Tanaguichi by one in the PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodles Cup in Tochigi, Japan yesterday.

Shaking off a missed cut stint in the Tsuruya Open in Hyogo that kicked off his first full season on the lucrative circuit and a joint 50th place finish in The Crowns in Aichi, Pagunsan gunned down an eagle on the par-5 No. 1, birdied the second and went on to fire three more birdies to string a 32-34 card and put himself in early contention.

Tanaguchi birdied the par 5 No. 9 to shoot a 65 and snatch a one-shot lead from Pagunsan.

Hideto Tanihara birdied four of the first five holes, including three straight from No. 3, en route to a 67 while Yasuharu Imano carded a 68 while SJ Park, Azuma Yano and Hiroo Okamo turned in identical 69s at the Karasuyamajo Country Club to stay in early contention in the $1.9 million event.

Asian Tour campaigner Angelo Que had a rollercoaster round of seven birdies against five bogeys as he grabbed a share of seventh with seven others.

Two solid shots, including a monster drive, set up Pagunsan for that eagle-putt on No. 1 then hit another superb iron shot for a birdie on the second hole.

He spiked his impressive round with five scrambling pars, finishing with 26 putts on the unpredictable surface of the tough par-72 layout.