Pagunsan bags Neg. Occ. crown

JUVIC Pagunsan whoops it up as he holds the ICTSI Negros trophy after nipping Jobim Carlos on the second playoff hole. contributed photo BACOLOD — Dragged into a playoff by the young but talented Jobim Carlos, Juvic Pagunsan showed poise and class that have won him numerous titles and accolades here and abroad.

Outdriven by Carlos on the second extra hole on the par-4 No. 1, Pagunsan struck a solid wedge shot from 60 yards to within five feet on the second extra hole and made the putt. He then watched Carlos muff his own birdie bid from nine feet to clinch the victory in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course here yesterday.

“That was my plan and because I made a great approach from 60 yards, it put more pressure on Jobim,” said the multi-titled Pagunsan, who yielded some 10 yards to his 25-year-old rival off the mound.

“It was an inspiring win,” said Pagunsan, who was coming off an ACL injury that hampered his campaign on the lucrative Japan PGA Tour, his base the last few years. He closed out with a 67 for a nine-under 271 total, which Carlos matched with a 68 on a birdie-par-birdie windup.

The victory, worth P650,000, also proved memorable as the former Asian Tour No. 1 marked his return to the ICTSI-sponsored Philippine Golf Tour on a winning note after a 20-month absence and he did it on the very course he calls home and where he crowned himself the national amateur champion in 2006.

He appeared headed to wrap it up in regulation after shaking off Korean Kim Joo Hyung early and then going 2-up over Carlos with a clutch birdie on No. 14 coupled with Carlos’ bogey on the next.

But the recent Apo leg winner refused to crack under tremendous pressure and came through with that fiery windup that didn’t only stun Pagunsan but also impressed the big gallery expecting a romp by their hometown hero.

But after both parred the par-5 18th, Pagunsan used his experience and opted for a rather conservative play off the No. 1 tee, hacking out a superb approach shot then banging in the pressure-packed, title-clinching birdie putt.

Carlos said it was a best decision to outhit Pagunsan, only he didn’t get the result he had wanted off his approach shot that landed nine feet off the cup.