Friday, October 29, 2010

Juvic Pagunsan leads Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia

JAKARTA - Juvic Pagunsan put himself in the perfect position to claim the 80,000 dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia after taking the third round lead on a day of high drama.

The Filipino enters the final round with a two shot lead over compatriot Antonio Lascuna, Malaysian Nicholas Fung and Namchok Tantipokhakul from Thailand.

Pagunsan fired a four-under-par 68 at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club for a tournament total of 13-under-par 203.

It was another impressive round by the talented 32-year-old but was somewhat overshadowed by a two shot penalty handed to playing partner Fung for tapping down a spike mark on the 17th.

The pair had both birdied the par-five 17th with similar putts from 10 feet and later finished tied for the lead.

However, Pagunsan pointed out to Fung that he had touched his line with his putter and after careful discussion with officials the Malaysian's four was changed to a six.

"It is a pity that happened but it is still wide open with everything to play for. I am playing really well and came here to win the Merit list," said Pagunsan.

"The Mercedes-Benz Tour is really growing and one day will be really big and I so it would be great to say that I finished as the top ranked player."

Pagunsan, who won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Thailand by seven shots in June, started the day two behind leader Lascuna and took the lead with a round made up of seven birdies and three bogeys.

He leads the tour Order of Merit list with earnings of 22,450 dollars with Fung in third place just 1,000 dollars behind.

Fung, who signed for 70 as opposed to a 68 after the penalty, said: "It is disappointing what happened. I honestly cannot remember touching the line and if I did it was not intentional. It certainly makes me determined to play well tomorrow."

The 20-year-old rookie claimed the Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam earlier this month for his maiden win as a professional.

Leading third round scores (Par 72):

203 -Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 64 71 68
205 - Namchok Tantipokakul (THA) 68 69 68
Nicholas Fung (MAS) 69 66 70
Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 68 65 72
206 - Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS) 69 70 67
Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 69 70 67 207
Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 68 70 69
209 - Artemio Murakami (PHI) 68 73 68
210 - Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 69 73 68
Mohd Rashid Ismail (MAS) 74 67 69
Passamet Pogamnerd (THA) 70 69 71
211 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 72 71 68
Pawin Ingkhapradit (Am) (THA) 69 73 69
213 - Gene Bondoc (PHI) 73 72 68
Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 74 70 69
214 - Nakul Vichitryuthasastr (THA) 74 71 69
215 - Rey Pagunsan (PHI) 73 74 68
Anthony Fernando (PHI) 76 67 72
216 - Pravee Visalkit (THA) 72 73 71
Lam Zhiqun (Am) (SIN) 74 69 73

No comments: