Juvic, Thai up; Que 1 shot off

CARMONA, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan slowed down yesterday with a 3-under-par 68 to slip into a tie for the lead with Thailand’s Pijit Petchkasem going into today’s final round of the $100,000 Aboitiz Invitational at Manila Southwoods’ Legends course here.

A day after firing a tournament-best 62, Pagunsan dropped a shot for the first time in three rounds and then unexpectedly played his final nine holes at one-over for a 54-hole 199 aggregate like Pijit, who fired a 67.

Angelo Que also shot a 67 and trailed the joint leaders by one shot with Greg Moss of the United States firing a 64 to move into solid contention at 202, just three behind.

Petchkasem remained without a bogey after three days, an impressive feat considering that the winds blew in the third round and the flags were placed in some difficult places.

“I am very happy to go bogey-free,” the 28-year-old Petchkasem said. “My tempo has been splendid the entire week. I just have to keep on playing this way in the final round.

“I also need to focus on my game and not worry about them (Pagunsan and Que),” said the Thai, whose best finish ever as a pro was a tie for fourth when this same event was held last year at Riviera. “They are the two of the best players on the Asian Tour.”

Pagunsan’s homeward form was a far cry from his explosive trip on the front nine where he gunned down five straight birdies from the par-4 fifth hole to build a three-shot lead on the Thai.

Clyde Mondilla (66) and Japan’s Masaru Takahashi (68) remained title threats at 203 even as defending champion Antonio Lascuña officially kissed his title-repeat bid goodbye after managing a 70 to drop 10 strokes behind.

Pagunsan, back on the Philippine Golf Tour after paying a fine for unprofessional conduct, needed just 24 putts in the second round for that 62. But he was far from sharp on the greens yesterday.

“I misread the greens all day,” Pagunsan said. “But the good thing about it is that my ball striking has been very good. I am still confident going into the final round (today).”