Pactolerin gains Japan Senior Tour card

ROBERT Pactolerin, the former Philippine Open and Masters champion, has qualified to play full time in the lucrative Japan Senior PGA Tour.

Also a multiple leg winner in the local ICTSI Tour, the 51-year-old Pactolerin has rededicated himself to the game with the ultimate goal of eventually becoming just the second Filipino after Frankie Minoza to make it to the US Champions Tour.

Pactolerin is not the only Filipino currently campaigning in Japan with Juvic Pagunsan also earning a full card in the Japan Golf Tour after topping the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit race last year.

Minoza, Pactolerin’s peer in many Philippine squads in the past, also has a regular tour card in Japan.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” Pactolerin, who will make Japan his base until at least the end of the year, told the Inquirer in an overseas call in Filipino of his goal to try his luck in the Champions Tour qualifying later this year.

“I tried avoiding going overseas earlier in my career. I just feel that this is the time.”

Pactolerin, who is now being handled by Japanese pro Toru Ozawa, finished eighth out of 180 players who tried out for 20 slots in the Japan Senior qualifying tour held in Fukushima recently.

He tallied six-under over three days to easily make the grade and is now priming up for numerous events, including at least six overseas stints and one major tournament.