Juvic Pagunsan shot a four-under par 67 to gain a share of ninth, four shots behind Australian Marcus Both at the start of the Asian Tour International at the par-71 Suwan Golf and Country Club in Thailand yesterday.
Pagunsan, hoping to start his Asian Tour stint on an inspiring note following a so-so campaign last year, made six birdies to negate his two bogeys on Nos. 5 and 17 as he joined the likes of Thai Wisut Artjanawat, Malaysian Danny Chia and Aussies Gavin Flint and Andrew Dodt in ninth place in the $300,000 event serving as the kickoff leg of this year’s tour.
Both eagled the par-5 No. 2 and went on to fire five birdies at the front for a solid 29 en route to an eight-under 63 and a one-stroke lead over Japanese Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who anchored his bid with a 32 at the front for a 64.
Frankie Miñoza, also out to make an impact this year, opened with back-to-back birdies then added two more to offset his two bogeys on Nos. 9 and 16 as he stayed in the mix with a 69.
Mars Pucay stood as the next best Filipino player in the fold as he matched par 71.