ASIAN TOUR’S BEST: Juvic Pagunsan clinches player crown

HONG KONG—Juvic Pagunsan claimed the prestigious Order of Merit crown at the UBS Hong Kong Open on Sunday, becoming the first Filipino to reach the Asian Tour summit in the game’s history.

Pagunsan carded a closing round of two-under-par 68 for 10th place to add $55,000 to his season’s haul of $788,298.

It gave him an unassailable lead with one event left as none of his closest challengers threatened to win at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

With earlier rounds of 68-70-68, Pagunsan finished with a 6-under 274, six strokes behind winner Rory McIlroy of Ireland, who shot a 65 for 268 and a two-stroke victory.

The 33-year-old Filipino will be officially crowned Asia’s new No. 1, replacing South Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, at the season-ending
$1-million Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club from Dec. 15 to 18. The Awards Gala will be held on Dec. 18.

After entering the month of November as the 64th-ranked golfer, the sweet-swinging Pagunsan emerged as the unlikeliest of Merit champions, thanks largely to a ninth-place tie at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and an impressive runner-up finish at the Singapore Open which earned him a whopping $666,660.

As Asia’s No. 1, Pagunsan will be exempt into the British Open and World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship in 2012.

“It sounds really good,” said Pagunsan when told he had done enough to win the Merit title.

“I accept that it’s one of the biggest achievements in my entire life. I’m really surprised. Everyone dreams to get the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour. I wasn’t expecting that this year.

“My ranking before the Singapore Open was dangerous, and suddenly I just jumped to No. 1. It’s a big opportunity to top the Merit.”

Pagunsan conceded that he felt the pressure before the UBS Hong Kong Open as a big check of $458,330 was up for grabs

He credited improvements on his physical fitness as being the key to his rapid rise to the throne.