Juvic ends up joint 4th, pockets P3.3 million

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan rebounded from a poor start with an explosive backside charge and salvaged an even par 71 for a share of fourth in the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open ruled by Masanori Kobayashi in a stirring come-from-behind fashion in Hyogo, Japan yesterday.

Pagunsan, just one shot off the pace at the start of the final round, faded with back-to-back bogey start and reeled farther back with a triple-bogey on No. 6 and another bogey on the next. But the Asian Tour No. 1 hit six birdies in the last 11 holes to save a 35-36 card and a place in the top five.

His 271 aggregate tied him with Shiv Kapur (67) and Tomohiro Kondo (70) for fourth with each pocketing $80,645 (P3.3 million).

Kobayashi matched the second best nine-hole score of seven-under 28 on the Asian Tour and shot a sizzling 62 to snatch the crown at 267 worth $381,000.

He won by one over Koumei Oda, who fired 67 for a 268 while Masamichi Uehira finished solo third at 270 after a 71.