Juvic sets pace in M-Benz Indonesian leg

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan turned in one of his best starts in years, firing a bogey-free eight-under 64 to open a two-stroke lead over Thailand’s Borwon Chaisri at the start of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club in Indonesia yesterday.

Pagunsan, 32, strung up three straight birdies from No. 2 and went on to hit five more birdies, including another three-in-row from No. 14, as he set his bid in motion for the Order of Merit title on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

The smooth-swinging Filipino shotmaker currently leads the OOM race with earnings of $22,450 heading to this week’s $80,000 tournament, the final leg of this year’s 10-stage circuit.

Pagunsan ruled the Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand in June.

“This is one of my best rounds of the year,” said Pagunsan.

His biggest victory since turning pro in 2006 came in the Indonesia President Invitational in 2007 and he is clearly relishing playing on Indonesian soil once again.

“My victory in Thailand did a lot for my confidence. I had made some swing changes then and they are still paying off. Winning the Merit list title is very much on my mind but I am not letting it make me nervous,” said Pagunsan.

Borwon, however, stalked Pagunsan with a six-under 66, while two other RP bets, Tony Lascuña and Artemio Murakami, each fired a 68 to tie Thais Namchok Tantipokhakul and Wittawat Sae-ung, in third with 68s.

“It is nice to finally get on the leader board. I hope this is the start of a very good week. It is such a nice golf course it is difficult not to play well,” said Borwon.

Ferdie Aunzo also put himself in early contention with a 69 in a tie with Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, third on the Merit list with earnings of $21,373.

The 20-year-old from Sabah claimed the Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam crown earlier this month and knows he will need to finish in the money this week for a crack at the top $13,000 purse.

Indonesia’s number one player Rory Hie, whose sole victory since turning professionals came in the 2008 International Championship on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, matched par 72.

Malaysian number one Danny Chia posted the same score.

In rare feat, two players fired aces with Thailand’s Atthaphon Prathummanee scoring the first ace on No. 16 and countryman Philip Matsson, an amateur, shooting the other on No. 4.