Pagunsan kicks off 2012 with stint in TCC Invt’l

TOP-RANKED Asian Tour player Juvic Pagunsan will kick off a hectic 2012 with a stint in the The Country Club Invitational, where he hopes to showcase his A-game and claim the title.

Already a revered player on the local circuit, which he dominated with four victories last year en route to winning the Order of Merit crown, Pagunsan further enhanced his status when he became the region’s No. 1 behind a magnificent run in November and December last year.

He is figured to compete in a world major as well as the Japan PGA tour this year.

The two-time TCC Invitational winner, however, has opted to downplay his chances in what has long been considered as the country’s major championship, owing to the depth of the competing field.

Meanwhile, the traditional 18-hole pro-am event, featuring the leadings pros and ICTSI’s guests from various sectors and event’s sponsors, will be held today as a prelude to the 10th staging of the annual event put up by ICTSI chair and CEO Ricky Razon in honor of his late father and ICTSI founder, Enrique “Don Pocholo” Razon Sr.

Pagunsan nipped Frankie Miñoza in sudden death to score his breakthrough win in 2006 then dominated the field to annex his second TCC title in 2008. But he fell short of his bid the last three years, losing by five to Angelo Que in 2010 and finishing third last year, also won by Que. This time, however, Pagunsan vows to go all-out to recapture the crown.

So do the rest of the elite 36-player field chasing the P1.4-million purse, including the three-peat seeking Que and former winners Artemio Murakami, Tony Lascuna, Cassius Casas and Jerome Delariarte, Minoza and teener Miguel Tabuena.

While relishing being Asia’s No. 1, Pagunsan also stressed the need for him to concentrate more on his game after setting himself a target of winning more tournaments this year. Pagunsan is set to compete on the Japan PGA Tour starting in April. He is also set to play in the World Championship in Miami in March and in the British Open in July, his reward for winning the Asian Tour crown. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio