Pagunsan fires 67, remains five shots back in Hong Kong Open

The Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan returned with five birdies in the last 13 holes to salvage a three-under-par 67 at the start of the $2.5-million UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Pagunsan dropped three bogeys in the opening five holes as against a birdie on No. 3. Sensing danger, the Bacolod native turned to his vaunted short game and capitalized on every chance.

Still, he was five strokes adrift from unknown Thai Udorn Duangdecha, who sprung a surprise by submitting with an eight-under-par 62.















“I am still in the thick of things," Pagunsan told GMANews.TV in a text message.

Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands who had earlier taken the morning lead heads into the second round in second place on 63.

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee together with defending champion Lin Wen-tang, England’s David Dixon and France’s Gregory Bourdy were a further shot back tied in third on 64.

Mars Pucay, the other RP bet, also rallied at the back side to card a two-under-par 68. He gunned down consecutive birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 then followed up on Nos. 15 and 16.

In sharp contrast, Filipino-Japanese Artemio Murakami’s day was sort of roller coaster ride. A two-under at the turn immediately went down the drain with bogeys on Nos. 11, 15 and 17.

The former US Open debutant recorded an even-par 70 and was in danger of missing the cut. Filipinos who must step up the plate were Angelo Que (73) and Antonio Lascuna (76). – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV