After an absence of almost three years, the temperamental Juvic Pagunsan returns to the local tour Wednesday, headlining the P1.5-million ICTSI Mount Malarayat Classic in Lipa City.
Suspended in 2013 after abandoning his South team and letting it hang out to dry in The Duel at Alabang, Pagunsan will be paying the P25,000 fine slapped on him by the Philippine Golf Tournaments to have his suspension lifted, according to the local tour’s media arm.
The 37-year-old, who has had highs and lows at Malarayat’s composite layout, instantly becomes the player to watch even as Antonio Lascuña seeks a second straight victory after ruling the Apo Golf Invitational in Davao.
Pagunsan won low amateur honors in the 2005 Philippine Open at Malarayat but subsequently had at least two missed cuts as a pro, something deemed uncharacteristic for a player of his caliber.
The suspension was the second the PGT had slapped on Pagunsan. He was banned in 2011 after he left the course midway through the second round of the Forest Hills Invitational in Antipolo.
One favorite who wouldn’t be playing this week is two-leg winner Miguel Tabuena who is still in the United States.
Elmer Salvador, the 2009 Open champion at Malarayat, Jay Bayron, Mars Pucay and Cassius Casas are also entered together with Korean Anthony Kim and Dutchman Guido Van der Valk.
Meanwhile, little-known Rene Menor partnered with Manny Alarilla, Sunny Donato and Alex Ryu in winning yesterday’s pro-am with a 20-under 52 total.
Joenard Rates and amateur partners Polly Macatangay, Ruel de Castro and Nelson Ventura were second after a 53 with the team of pro Arnold Villacencio and Nestor Sevilla, Nico Sevilla and Bobby Gonzales finishing third with 55.