Juvic Pagunsan seeks breakthru as Philippine Open unfolds

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines — Juvic Pagunsan hopes to cash in on his explosive form against a crack international roster out to dim his brightest chance for a first-ever crown in the Solaire Philippine Open which gets under way  today at The Country Club here.

A number of explosive pairings usher in the 101st staging of the country’s premier golf championship, which drew a talent-laden 132-player field from 14 countries, including 39 from a strong Thailand contingent also itching to score a breakthrough in Asia’s oldest National Open.

The US and Australia have 11 entries each while Taiwan, England, Japan and Korea, among others, also field in top-notch shotmakers bracing for four days of battle of power, iron play and putting on a dreaded Tom Weiskoph-designed layout that should play longer than its 7735-yardage with the buffeting winds expected to blow from various directions in all four rounds.

“I like my chances coming off a win in Riviera,” said Pagunsan, who came into the $500,000 event sponsored by Solaire Resort & Casino armed with a form and confidence boosted by his emphatic victory in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia’s ICTSI Riviera Challenge last week.

“But the field is strong, particularly the Thais, and those from the US and Australia and our local aces. Power hitters have the edge here but I hope to work on my putting. If I get the lead after three days, my chances will be good,” added the region’s former No. 1, who gets to prove his worth a little bit late as he drew Thai Poom Saksakin and Malaysian Nicholas Fung at 12:20 p.m. on No. 1 when weather and wind conditions are expected to get tougher.

Pagunsan actually reigned here three times in the TCC Invitational but didn’t see action in the Open in recent past owing to his campaign in the Japan PGA Tour.

But back in the local scene, the smooth-swinging Filipino shotmaker feels he has the momentum and in top shape to finally put an end to a long search for an Open diadem.

Two local top guns also shoot not only for a breakthrough Open victory but also for redemption after missing the cut at Riviera with reigning PGT Order of Merit champion Jobim Carlos mixing it up with PGT Asia Luisita Championship winner David Gleeson of Australia and Taiwanese Chiu Han-Ting in a flight ahead of Pagunsan and company.

Clyde Mondilla, the country’s top player in 2017 who also failed to advance in the penultimate leg of the PGTA 2018-19 second season, drew an earlier start at 8 a.m. but against a pair of tough rivals in Aussie Simon Vitakangas and Thai veteran Wisut Artjanawat.