PH top golfer to vie in ICTSI Challenge

AN already elite field became even more dangerous as Juvic Pagunsan took time off the Japan PGA Tour to compete in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge which tees off tomorrow at the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas.

Pagunsan is coming off a joint fourth place finish in Tsuruya Open in Hyogo two weeks ago and battled from the brink of elimination to salvage a joint 21st place effort with a final round four-under 66 in The Crowns in Aichi last Sunday.

That makes the former Asian Tour No. 1, who raked in earnings of P2.5 million for that two-week campaign, the marked player in the third leg of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, which stakes a top purse of P200,000.

But Pagunsan will not go unchallenged, especially with the presence of Miguel Tabuena, who is eager to bounce back from his playoff loss to Jay Bayron during the ICTSI Camp John Hay Championship two weeks ago in a tournament he dominated majority of the way.

Also present are Mhark Fernando, Rufino Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa, Ferdie Aunzo, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Cassius Casas, Gerald Rosales, Artemio Murakami and Richard Sinfuego.

The tournament also serves as a tune-up for the ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, another four-day, P2.5 million championship slated May 22 to 25.  /Correspondent Jonas Panerio