Pagunsan shadows Myanmar Open leaders

Yangon, Myanmar — The Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan returned to active duty on the Asian Tour with a scintillating four-under-par 68 in the opening round of the $300,000 Air Bagan Myanmar Open at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club. Pagunsan was four shots behind Japan’s Tetsuji Hiratsuka, who set a course record of eight-under-par 64. It was a near superhuman effort for the come-backing Pagunsan as the 32-year-old Bacolod-native unleashed his patented superb short game to score a five-under 31 at the turn. He highlighted his game with five birdies, including three straight from the sixth to the eighth hole. He had two more birdies on Nos. 11 and 15 that sandwiched a bogey on No. 13. However, Pagunsan looked too excited to finish the day. He dropped two shots after a little misadventure on the 18th, made a double bogey 7 on the par-five hole to end up with that 68. Still, he emerged as the best Filipino player, slightly ahead of countryman Mars Pucay’s three-under-par 69 in the full field event completed late Thursday. "It was a heart-breaker," said Pagunsan referring to that double bogey on the final hole. "I would have been just two behind from Hiratsuka." Hiratsuka, a five-time winner in his homeland, fired a remarkable eagle-2 on the eighth hole after his eight-iron, second shot found the hole from 162 yards. In all, he connected on seven birdies as against a lone bogey. His 64 broke the previous mark of six-under-par 66 turned in by Gavin Flint of Australia. "My irons were excellent and that helped with my game. The golf course also suits my game and I’m really happy with my good start," said the 39-year-old. Hiratsuka, who missed the cut in the Maybank Malaysian Open in March after struggling with the heat, is aware that the weather in Myanmar will also play a pivotal role this week. "The weather was very hot but, luckily, I teed-off in the morning where it was cooler. I have to keep myself hydrated Friday to keep myself in the lead," added Hiratsuka, who is searching for his first Asian Tour victory. Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng was in solo second spot with a 66 while Malaysian-born Kim Young-jin of Korea, Corey Harris of the United States and Australian duo Adam Blyth and Scott Hend were tied for third with 67s. Local hopefuls Zaw Myint Thein and Naing Naing Lin shot matching 68s to lie in tied ninth alongside Pagunsan. Pucay had his own version of an eagle-3 at the par-five No. 11. He mixed four birdies and three bogeys for a 35-34 card. A birdie on the 18th served him in good stead as he maintains a good contender for the $50,000 top prize. Ferdinand Aunzo, the sophomore pro, churned out a two-under 70 (31st) to make it to the projected cut-off. If ever, this will be his second consecutive week to enter the weekend rounds. In danger of going home early were Antonio Lascuna (73), Marvin Dumandan (74), Michael Bibat (74), Artemio Murakami (75), Omar Dungca (80) and Jerome Delariarte (80). – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV