Juvic Pagunsan takes a step closer to PGT Asia breakthrough

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — With the wind at manageable level, Juvic Pagunsan blew the field with a near-impeccable game, firing a five-under 66 and driving a wedge between him and his pursuers in the pivotal third round of the ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge here yesterday.

Fellow Japan PGA Tour campaigner Angelo Que also shot a 66, spiked by an eagle on No. 10, but the former Philippine Open champion found himself trailing the smooth-swinging leader by the same margin – four – after 36 holes of the $100,000 event Thursday.

Counting his back-to-back even par 71s at the Langer layout that kept him tied with uncle Rey after two rounds, Juvic finally wrested solo control with a 208, moving 18 holes away from annexing his maiden victory on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

“It was just fantastic, everything was in place and the wind not as strong as in the first two days,” said Juvic, who nevertheless remained wary of Que’s threat to his title drive in the rich event serving as the penultimate leg of the 10-stage second season of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.