Pagunsan rules Apo Golf Invitational, wins 4th PGT crown

Juvic Pagunsan shot a two-under-par 70 to cruise to an easy win against the country’s top par busters and earn his fourth Philippine Golf Tour crown for the year at the close of the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational in Davao Friday. Pagunsan wound up with a 54-hole total of 14-under202, worth P200,000 top prize. It was virtually over after 36 holes as Pagunsan took a whopping eight-shot lead over first round co-leader Jhonnel Ababa with Salvador too far behind at 10 adrift to ever mount a serious challenge over the last 18 holes. Elmer Salvador fired a brilliant eight-under 64 for 206 and pocketed the runner up purse of P120,000. Ababa, who recorded his first pro win in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge last month, shot a 69 and wound up third at 209 worth P65,000. Miguel Tabuena, the youngest Filipino pro to make it to the Asian Tour circuit, carded a 69 for 215 and finished a career-best joint fourth with local bet Elmer Saban (69). Each player received a check worth P45,000. Antonio Lascuna was sixth with 68-213 while another homegrown player Ferdie Aunzo (70) was tied for seventh with Mike Bibat (73) for 214. Ruben Sasutil made a 71 and wound up tied with Danny Zarate (73) and Ramil Bisera (72) for ninth at 215. The tour's other big guns finished way below expectations with Asian Tour veterans Mars Pucay in joint 14th at 71-218, Frankie Minoza (76) and Cassius Casas (73) in joint 17th at 219, Marvin Dumandan tied for 22nd at 221 after a 71, and Angelo Que in share of 26th at 222 after a 73. - Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News