Juvic Pagunsan hot favorite at Marapara leg

No other Filipino pro golfer is in-form these days than Juvic Pagunsan, and he could be doubly dangerous once the Philippine Golf Tour makes its Southern stops starting next week.

The sweet-swinging 33-year-old guns for a fourth title on the ICTSI tour this season with the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (Marapara), which Pagunsan practically knows like the back of his hands, hosting the fifth leg starting Tuesday.

A former caddy in his teens, Pagunsan learned the game at Marapara where he won his only Philippine Amateur title over Malaysia’s Chiva Sindhran in 2006.

After winning three of the first four legs, Pagunsan is the odds-on choice to romp away with the title and underscore his dominance of the local field.

The Marapara sojourn also serves as the kickoff tournament for the circuit’s southern swing that includes a stop in Iloilo (July 20 to 22), Davao (Aug. 10 to 12), Del Monte (Aug. 17 to 19) and Cebu (Sept. 1 to 3).

MJ Carr Golf Management Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports are the other backers of the event.

Pagunsan’s hot start has given him a huge lead in the Order of Merit race with P1,097,104 in winnings. Former Philippine Open champion Elmer Salvador is a far second with P428,744.

Antonio Lascuña is in third with P388,144 after finishing third at Mt. Malarayat.