Pagunsan tops Apo Classic to end title-less streak

MANILA, Philippines – Juvic Pagunsan’s title-less streak ended Friday when he topped the Apo Classic at the Apo Golf Club in Davao City. Pagunsan cruised to a one-under-par 71, his third subpar round, for a 210 total in 54 holes and a six-shot win over joint runners-up Jerome Delariate and Artemio Murakami in the event which was the third leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. Pagunsan, winless after grabbing the Asian Tour spotlight with a victory at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational in late 2007, thus earned his fourth pro career title. “It was great to pull off a win like that," said the sweet-swinging Pagunsan. “I played extremely well all week." He took the P200,000 top prize and will head for Kuala Lumpur next week armed with the needed momentum and confidence in his bid to also earn a victory in the Malaysian Tour. Murakami, Pagunsan's buddy and fellow Asian Tour campaigner, rallied with a two-under par 70 and gained a share of second with Delariarte, who failed to sustain his under-par rounds of 71-69 with a 72. Both wound up with 212s and received P92,500 each. Elmer Salvador, runner-up to Marvin Dumandan here last year when the local tour kicked off with a three-leg circuit, carded an even par 72 to settle for fourth with a 214. He got P50,000. Deposed champion Dumandan, who has racked up over P300,000 in the first two legs of the circuit with a victory at Eagle Ridge and a runner-up finish at Mt. Malarayat, tinkered with his driving for this tournament and paid dearly for it. He struggled to find his rhythm and form with rounds of 73 and 71 before closing out with an even par 72. He placed fifth at 216 worth P40,000 but remained on top of the Order or Merit race. “I told you before the start that it was a going to be difficult to defend. I was right," explained Dumandan. Ramil Bisera also shot a 72 and tied Jun Bernis, shooting a 73, for sixth with 271s with both players halving the combined P65,000 purse. Seven players finished tied for eighth at 218, including first leg winner Danny Zarate, who struggled with a 73. Carito Villaroman, Richard Abaring and Ebarra Quiachon all had 69s, Mars Pucay rallied with a 71, and Ruben Sasutil and Elmer Saban each had 74. Each received P22,000. Peter Villaber emerged the low amateur with a 220 after a 74 for a share of 16th. – GMANews.TV