Pagunsan wins by 3 shots

Japan Golf Tour regular Juvic Pagunsan stamped his class in the final round, closing with a four-under-par 68 to win the SAFTI Zamboanga pro golf tournament at the Zamboanga Golf and Beach Resort Thursday.

The 44-year-old Pagunsan, fresh from his victory at Riviera Golf and Country Club last week, rallied from five shots down at the start of the day to win by two shots over Zanieboy Gialon and Elmer Saban.

He birdied all four par-5 holes and added three more to offset three bogeys.

Pagunsan completed 36 holes on 3-under 141 and earned P80,000 out of the P500,000 total purse.

Gialon fired a 71 and Saban carded a 72 to share second on 143, one shot ahead of overnight leader Rupert Zaragosa who struggled to a 76.

Ageless Frankie Minoza took solo fifth on 145 after a 73.

Next on tap is the SAFTI Zamboanga pro-am tournament on Friday.

Pagunsan will team up with lawyer Pherham Saiddi in the two-day format which will use scramble in the first round and best-ball in the second.

The P1 million event stakes cash prizes up to 20th place with the rest bringing home consolation prizes.

The top scores at the end of the pro event:
141 — Juvic Pagunsan 73-68.
143 — Zanieboy Gialon 72-71, Elmer Saban 71-72.
144 — Rupert Zaragosa 68-76.
145 — Frankie Minoza 72-73.
147 — Rico Depilo 75-72, Mhark Fernando 75-72, Jeonard Rates 74-73.
148 — Robert Pactolerin 74-74.
150 — Francis Morilla 76-74, Reymon Jaraula 75-75, Efren Robles Jr. 74-76, Ferdie Aunzo 72-78.
151 — Michael Bibat 76-75, Jett Plete 76-75, Angelo Anzuris 75-76, Lechard Lofranco 74-77, Elmer Salvador 74-77.
152 — James Ryan Lam 74-78, Nicole Fleetwood 73-79.
153 — Allan Remata 79-74, Antolin Fernando 78-75, Jerson Balasabas 75-78, Marvin Dumandan 73-80.