Golf: Pagunsan keeps pace with WGC Cadillac Championship leaders

Juvic Pagunsan continued his magical run in the WGC Cadillac Championship after he scored a one-under-par 71 to keep in pace with the World's best golfers at the TPC Blue Monster in Doral, Florida on Friday (Saturday in Manila). Pagunsan improved on his driving distance at an average of 284 but putting was bad that resulted in four birdies as against a lone bogey. At 140, he was tied for 21st with Filipino-American Jason Day and Spaniard Miguel Jimenez. And with no cuts in this four-day $8.5-million event, he'll be sure to play all rounds and hope to snare the $1.4-million winner's check or, at least, a big chunk of the total prize fund like what he got in the Singapore Barclays Open last year. "He's in the thick of the fight, in contention. He was still better than most of the top 50 golfers of the world in 36 holes," said Pagunsan's handler Bones Floro. Bubba Watson of the US was just superb all day, making an eagle on the par-five eighth to go with nine birdies and only one bogey for a scintillating 10-under-par 62 and 132 total for the overall lead at the halfway mark. Justin Rose of Scotland followed with a 133 after a 64 and Australian Adam Scott was third with 134 after a 68.   Former No. 1 Tiger Woods crashed into the top 10 as he shot a 67 for 139 while current top player Rory McIlroy was at (69-142). Lee Westwood (69), the World No. 3, and Phil Mickleson (71) were tied on 143s. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News