Juvic finishes joint 5th in Brunei

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan closed out with a two-under par 69 and salvaged a joint fifth place finish in the Brunei Open topped by Darren Beck of Australia at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei yesterday.

Pagunsan knocked down four birdies against two bogeys at the par-71 layout for a 34-35 card as he rallied from a share of 10th to joint fifth at 273. He took home $9,682 (P464,000)

It was two strokes behind Beck’s 271 total with the Aussie bet completing his come-from-behind victory in the $300,000 event by beating Gaganjeet Bhullar in the third playoff hole.

Beck rallied with a bogey-free six-under 65, battling back from joint 15th to force a three-way tie with Bhullar (69) and Thai Boonchu Ruangkit (71).

The troika parred the first playoff hole but Ruangkit bowed out with a bogey on the next. Beck then clinched the crown with a birdie against Bhullar’s par on the third playoff hole.

Jay Bayron, who had hoped for a breakthrough win on the tour after moving within one stroke behind Ruangkit in the third round, fumbled with a double-bogey on the par-4 17th and wound up with a 73. He dropped to joint ninth at 274. He won $5,746 (P358,000).

Mars Pucay shot a 69 and finished joint 18th at 277.