Multi-titled Juvic Pagunsan goes for the one missing in his trophy cabinet as he headlines the elite international field in the Solaire Philippine Open slated April 3-6 at The Country Club in Laguna.
Then an amateur, Pagunsan tied for second in 2004 at Riviera that saw the smooth-swinging shotmaker from Bacolod snatch the lead in the third round before yielding the crown to American Edward Michaels.
He turned pro two years later, bagging The Country Club Invitational title then started to nail victories abroad (Indonesia and Malaysia) the following year. He captured two more TCC titles then became the first Filipino to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit trophy in 2011 even without winning a tournament.
But he never really contended for the country’s premier championship although he missed a number PH Open stints to campaign on the Japan PGA Tour.
But with the lucrative circuit officially opening in the third week of April, the Bacolod ace, 40, has found time to play here, including the ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia in two weeks time where he is one of the top draws.
But Pagunsan, who actually marked his return on the local circuit by winning the Bacolod stop of last year’s PGT, expects a tough outing in the upcoming 101st PH Open, led by defending champion Miguel Tabuena, who edged Thai veteran Prom Meesawat in a playoff to become the Centennial winner of Asia’s oldest National Open.
