Pagunsan fires record 64, posts big 7-shot lead

Reedthin Juvic Pagunsan bulldozed his way past his rivals by establishing a course record eight-under-par 64 yesterday to storm ahead by seven strokes in the second round of the second Canlubang Amateur Open golf championship.

Pagunsan brought the par-72 south course of the Canlubang complex in Laguna to its knees with a veritable collection of seven birdies and an eagle to break away from the pack.

A 17th hole bogey denied Pagunsan of a solo hold of the course mark as another amateur Mari Hechanova had submitted a similar 64 although it was a practice round in 1999.

The 23-year-old Pagunsan capped his round with an eagle on the par-5 18th, sending a 3-iron second shot from 225 yards out onto the green before sinking a 10-foot putt.

Pagunsan is actually going for his second straight major title at his home club after ruling the DHL Open early this year.

Defending champion Marlon Dizon kept his back-to-back bid alive with a 71 for 143 for solo second with Solomon Gines, the first round co-leader, dropping to third after a lackluster 74.

In the women’s competition of the Globe Telecoms-sponsored event, Carmelette Villaroman grabbed the upperhand from national teammate Ruby Chico-Walker after a 74 for 151. Walker had a 77 for 152.

Heidi Chua and Lina de Guzman, however, remained in contention with their 74 and 72, respectively, that left them just two off at 153 while Lucy Landicho was another stroke back at 154.

Iggy Clavecilla, tied for the lead with Gines before the round, groped for form but his 78 and a better countback score were enough to give him the men’s group II title.

Clavecilla turned back Mari Hechanova and Dave Hernandez in the countback after the three submitted similar totals of 148.