Pagunsan closes in on leader with 70

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan fought back from a three-over card with four birdies in the last 10 holes, salvaging a one-under 70 and moving within three of new leader Liang Wen-chong of China in the third round of the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup Golf in Ibaraki, Japan yesterday.

Pagunsan sputtered early after a shaky 72 midway through the $1.4 million event, bogeying No. 2 after missing the green, three-putting No. 5 before dropping another shot on No. 7 to tumble down the leaderboard. But the ace Filipino shotmaker regained his touch in time and birdied Nos. 9, 11, 14 and 17 while saving par once to wheel back into contention.

With a 211 aggregate, Pagunsan moved from joint 18th to a share of sixth, just three shots behind Liang, who shot a 69 for a 208 and a one-stroke lead over a rallying Kazuhito Yamashita of Japan, who fired a 68 for a 209.

Local bet Yusaku Miyazato fired the tournament-best 66 in tough condition to jump from 52nd to joint third at 210 with compatriots Yoshinoby Tsukada and Yoshitaka Takeya, who had a 68 and 70, respectively.

Joining Pagunsan at sixth were Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul and Japanese Shingo Katayama, who both shot 69s, Aussie Scott Strange and Korean Kim Hyung-sung, who both had 70s, Japan’s Akio Sadakata, who fumbled with a 72, Korean SK Ho, who limped with a 73, and erstwhile leader Adam Bland of Australia, who hobbled with a 74.

But while Pagunsan kept himself in contention for the top $318,987 purse in the Asian Tour and Japan PGA Tour-sanctioned event, Angelo Que reeled back despite an eagle on the par-5 No. 4 as he stumbled with four bogeys and a double-bogey and wound up with a 75 for a 217.