Pagunsan, Que lead PH bid in rich Masters golf

CARMONA, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan makes his first appearance on Philippine soil in close to two years as one of four Filipinos expected to contend for top honors in the Asian Tour’s $1-million Resorts World Manila Masters kicking off at Southwoods here today.

Pagunsan, in the field as Asian Tour winner in 2011, went about his two practice rounds with little fanfare but he will be in the limelight along with Antonio Lascuña, the revered Frankie Miñoza, and the in-form Angelo Que as top local guns in the country’s richest tournament ever at the picturesque Masters layout.

China’s Liang Wenchong will be defending his crown against a field that is undoubtedly stronger than the one he conquered last year.

Liang, the Chinese No. 1, won on the first hole of sudden death over Thailand’s Prom Meesawat last year then donating half of his winner’s purse to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Meesawat is also in the field, along with compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat, now his country’s No. 1 after topping the Order of Merit race last year.

Que will come into the event fresh from winning a combined P14 million in his past two tournaments.

“I just want to go into the tournament thinking of shooting under-par in each of the first three rounds to give myself a chance on Sunday,” Que told the Inquirer after his final practice round.

Pagunsan has not played an official tournament in the country ever since he severed ties with former backer ICTSI over the suspension meted on him for two instances of conduct unbecoming.

Pagunsan spent most of the past two years playing in Japan and remains one of the players to beat in the chase for the $180,000 top prize.