New world beckons brand-new pro

Juvic Pagunsan leaves for Pakistan today, raring to bring his act to the Pakistan Open beginning Thursday in a highly anticipated pro debut in the Asian Tour by one of the most-talented players ever to come out of the amateur ranks.

Like any first-timer, Pagunsan said he’s excited to finally join the big league after an extensive stint as a national player he capped with a gold medal feat in the recent SEA Games here. But he stressed he’s not expecting something spectacular to come out of his maiden appearance in the region’s premier golf circuit teeming with talents.

"I really don’t know how I will fare in my first tournament as a pro. This is an entirely different league," said Pagunsan in Filipino. "Before, I used to play for flag and country, but now I will be playing for money."

The 27-year-old Pagunsan, winner of just about all the amateur crowns staked here and abroad and who has carried the national colors everywhere from the Putra Cup to the World Amateurs, gained his Asian Tour card by finishing joint 14th in the Asian Tour Qualifying School in Malaysia over the weekend, anchoring his bid with a solid seven-under par 65 in the third round.

He also graced the pro-am event of the Omega Cup at Wack Wack yesterday along with the other top players — Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate, Artemio Murakami, Cookie La’O and Jerome Delariarte.

"I can’t remember my score as I quickly left as soon as I signed my scorecard," said Pagunsan, who first rose to prominence as a 20-year-old when he joined pro stars Robert Pactolerin and Casas in the final flight of the 1998 RP Masters at Villamor and then earned the respect of the pros when he finished runner-up to Edward Michaels in the 2004 Philippine Open at the Riviera.

But it will be an entirely different thing in Pakistan.