Pagunsan assembles 66 in the wind, leads by two

CANLUBANG, Philippines - – The old hands took over from amateur ace Princess Superal in Day Two of The Country Club Invitational as veteran Rey Pagunsan shot a near-flawless 66 to wrest a two-stroke lead over two former champions at the halfway point of the P5-million tourney.

Pagunsan, 45, offset an early bogey mishap on the par 5 No. 2 to check in with four-under and assemble a two-round tally of 134, moving two shots ahead of surging Cassius Casas, who sizzled with the day’s best round of five-under 65, and Tony Lascuña, who carded a 67. 

Casas, the inaugural champion of this event in 2003, came out firing with a bogey-free, three-under 33 at the front and added four more birdies against two bogeys as he vaulted five places to No. 2, joining 2013 Order of Merit winner and 2004 titlist Lascuña, who maintained his position near the top.

Mars Pucay also moved up to third from fifth at 139 after a 69, catching up with Superal, who slowed down with a two-over 72 after a hot 67 Thursday.

“Medyo swerte pa rin. Maganda na ito para may puhunan sa last two rounds (I’m still quite lucky to get this score. This will give me a good cushion heading to the last two rounds),” said Pagunsan, seeking an end to a long victory drought in this event held in honor of ICTSI founder Enrique “Don Pocholo” Razon Sr. and which features the top 30 Filipino players from last year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit rankings.

After an opening 68, Pagunsan got a better handle on the wind-swept, 7181-yard course, firing birdies on Nos. 1, 4, 5, 8, and 17 from as far as 15 feet to make up for a missed green mishap on No. 2, which he also bogeyed in the first round.

Pagunsan likewise averted disaster on the par 4, 440-yard No. 18, where he blasted out of the right bunker then holed out from four feet.

“Mahangin pa rin pero mabuti isa lang ang bogey ko (It was windy out there and I was fortunate to make just one bogey),” said Pagunsan.

Casas improved on his first-round 71 as he clawed back into contention.

“Maayos ang laro ko today. Kailangan ko ito para hindi naman ako lumayo sa leader (I shot well today. It’s important that I stay within striking distance of the leader),” he said.

Lascuña was even par after nine holes, his round marred by a double-bogey on the par-4 No. 8, but came back with a bogey-less back highlighted by successive birdies from 12 to 14.

“Happy ako sa position ko dahil nga mahirap ang mahabang course para sa akin. Maganda lang ang driving at iron ko today,” said Lascuña.

Superal, who held her ground with a 35 at the turn, wavered with three bogeys in the first seven holes at the back, needing to birdie the par-3 17th to save a 72. She dropped to joint fourth with Mars Pucay, who shot a 69 for a 139.

“She seemed to have tired out at the back. Hindi na solid ang mga patama nya,” noted Angelo Que of Superal’s performance which nevertheless kept the top Team ICTSI bet way ahead of the field in the battle for low amateur honors.

Anthony Fernando, the Manila Southwoods pro seeking a breakthrough win, bounced back from a 72 with a 68 to seize solo sixth at 140 while Orlan Sumcad, who matched Pagunsan’s opening 68, went six-over after 11 holes and had to birdie Nos. 16 and 17 to card a 74. He fell to seventh at 142.

Que, seeking a record fourth championship in the event, birdied the last two holes to salvage a 71 although he stood too far behind at 143 in a tie with Zanie Boy Gialon and Jhonnel Ababa, who had a 72 and 73, respectively.

Jay Bayron shot a second 72 for a 144 while defending champion Frankie Miñoza hardly improved from a 73 with a 72 for a 145 for joint 12th with Rufino Bayron, whom he nipped in the playoff in last year’s edition of the event which features the top 30 Filipino players from last year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit rankings.

The other fancied bets, meanwhile, continued to struggle in tough condition at the wind-raked layout with sleek putting surface with Elmer Salvador and Miguel Tabuena laying 14 shots off Pagunsan at 148 after a 73 and 75, respectively.

Mhark Fernando and Michael Bibat, leg winners in last year’s ICTSI-PGT, stood at joint 14th at 146 after a 71 and 75, respectively, while Pauline del Rosario, another Team ICTSI mainstay, made a 75 for a 149 for joint 20th with Carl Santos-Ocampo and Richard Sinfuego, who made a 73 and 74, respectively.