Juvic Pagunsan pulls off surprise, shows up at Del Monte

BUKIDNON, Philippines — Reymon Jaraula brims with confidence following a breakthrough run, so does Clyde Mondilla who is raring to flaunt his power game at home. With veteran Tony Lascuña, young Ira Alido and the rest also upbeat of their respective chances, an explosive start looms among the best and the brightest as the ICTSI Del Monte Championship blasts off today at Del Monte Golf Club here in Manolo Fortich.

But all may have to take a backseat as Juvic Pagunsan signed up for the P2.5-million event, back in the hunt for a record feat – a fifth championship following a record four-straight leg romp in Bacolod, Negros, Iloilo and Riviera stops of the 10th season of the country’s premier circuit. He returned to his base in Japan PGA Tour last month and posted a runner-up finish and a ninth-place effort in Hokkaido and Fukuoka, respectively.

That should make him the player to beat in the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI with the smooth-swinging Asia’s former No. 1 looking to re-assert his mastery of practically the same field he had bested in the Visayan swing of the circuit and at Riviera in harsh conditions.

He drew an early tee time with Elmer Salvador and Rufino Bayron at 7:20 a.m.