Juvic, Jobim share lead with 66s

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan birdied No. 18 to complete a bogey-free round of six-under 66 and catch unlikely co-leader amateur Jobim Carlos at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Royal Northwoods Championship at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan yesterday.

Humbled by the bespectacled Carlos in a virtual shootout at the front in one of the late afternoon flights, Pagunsan bucked off the amateur’s challenge and holed out with a six-foot birdie putt for a pair of 33s and a share of the lead in the 54-hole tournament.

Pagunsan said he hasn’t been playing after finishing third in The Country Club Invitational in January but has been practicing with the national team in Canlubang.

Carlos, priming up for the Philippine Amateurs two weeks from now, outgunned the veteran Pagunsan with five birdies against a bogey in a solid frontside stint and took a one-shot lead with three birdies against another bogey heading to the par-4 18th.

But he settled for a share of the lead, one stroke ahead of Jay Bayron and Mhark Fernando, while 22 others also broke par at the par-72 layout that virtually lay defense-less in the absence of the wind.

Bayron, the reigning Order of Merit winner, birdied two of the last three holes at the front, the backside of his game, while Fernando rallied with a 32, also at the front, for a pair of 67s.

A shot adrift at 68s were Anthony Fernando, the third player in the Pagunsan flight, unfancied Kevin Tayao, Elmer Salvador and defending champion Marvin Dumandan as the favorites played true to form to put themselves in contention for the top P200,000 purse in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But while Pagunsan was expected to shine, Carlos provided the big surprise in the kickoff leg of the 12-stage circuit.

He actually showed up Pagunsan right on the opening hole, which he birdied then matched the latter’s three birdies in the next six holes to stay ahead. He dropped a stroke on No. 8 but bounced back with another birdie on the ninth for a 32.

Carlos, who led the Phl team’s runaway triumph in last year’s Lion City crown of the Putra Cup, matched Pagunsan’s back-to-back birdies from No. 13, bogeyed No. 16 but birdied the next to keep a one-shot lead going to the 18th.

Artemio Murakami, the reigning Philippine Open champion, shot a 69 to lead the group that includes Randy Garalde, Cassius Casas, Michael Bibat and Tomokazu Yoshinaga, while Gerald Rosales, Al Cruz, Juanito Pagunsan, Ramil Bisera, Albin Engino and Joenard Rates churned out identical two-under 70s.

Elmer Saban, Eddie Bagtas, Richard Abaring, Neil Catalan, Paul Echavez and former Phl Open winner Robert Pactolerin all carded 71s, five shots off the joint leaders.

The event is backed MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Dynamic Sports, Omnisource International, Unilab, Mizuno, Titleist.