Pagunsan, Lascuna trail JW Cambodian Open leader by 4

Juvic Pagunsan and Antonio Lascuna each scored a three-under-par 69 to trail leader Kenichi Kuboya of Japan by four strokes in the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Pagunsan holed out to a nice, blemish-free round with three birdies while Lascuna made five to wash out his consecutive bogeys at Nos. 7 and 8. Both are chasing to earn more in this $300,000 tournament and maintain their Order of Merit (OOM) places within the Top 60 level —a place where players retain their Asian Tour cards for next season without having to go through the grueling Qualifying School. Pagunsan is at 36th ($89,015.84) and Lascuna at 46th ($67,314.18). Angelo Que has already secured his spot at 26th ($133,776.31), along with Mars Pucay at 30th ($133,776.31). Only Artemio Murakami ($$30,992.52 for 70th) has the outside chance of keeping his Asian Tour card. “I don’t want to be complacent because there’s still a last event after this. It’s best to play to earn more or, better yet, win one for insurance," Pagunsan said in a text message. Kuboya, a journeyman pro who has yet to annex a title in the Asian Tour, posted a seven-under 65 to take a one stroke lead off the 66 of Thailand’s Atiwit Janewattananond and the 67s of Bangladesh’s Siddikur and defending champion Marcus Both of Australia. Mo Joong-kyung and Young Nam of Korea, Adam Groom and Stuart Lunn Walker of Australia, and Panuwat Muenlek of Thailand turned in a 68 each. Filipino Marvin Dumandan had a 70 and Pucay shot an even 72. In danger of missing the halfway cut are Murakami (73), Mike Bibat (73), Ferdie Aunzo (77), Gerald Rosales (80) and Philippine Golf Tour Player of the Year Jay Bayron (81). – Adrian Flores, JVP, GMANews.TV