Juvic vaults back into MB Masters lead
JAKARTA—Juvic Pagunsan put himself in the perfect position to claim the US$80,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia and secure the MB Tour Order of Merit championship after taking the third-round lead on a day of high drama.
The Filipino, who leads the Merit race, enters the final round with a two-shot lead over compatriot Antonio Lascuña, Malaysian Nicholas Fung and Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul.
Pagunsan fired a four-under-par 68 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club for a 54-hole total of 13-under 203.
It was another impressive round by the talented 32-year-old but it was somewhat overshadowed by the two-stroke penalty assessed on playing partner Fung on the 17th for tapping down a spike mark.
The pair had both birdied the par-five 17th with similar putts from 10 feet and later finished tied for the lead.
But Pagunsan pointed out to Fung that he had touched his line with his putter and, after careful discussion with officials, the Malaysian’s four was changed to a six.
“It is a pity that happened but [the tournament] is still wide open,” the Filipino ace said.
Pagunsan, who won the MB Masters Thailand in June, started the day two behind leader Lascuña and took the front by making seven birdies.
Fung signed for 70 and said: “It is disappointing. I honestly cannot remember touching the line.”
Lascuña, who shot 72, was in control for much of the day but he double bogeyed the 15th after his approach shot spun back into the water.
Leading third round scores:
203—Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 64-71-68; 205—Namchok Tantipokakul (THA) 68-69-68, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 69-66-70, Antonio Lascuña (PHI) 68-65-72; 206—Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS) 69-70-67, Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 69-70-67; 207—Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 68-70-69; 209—Artemio Murakami (PHI) 68-73-68; 210—Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 69-73-68, Mohd Rashid Ismail (MAS) 74-67-69, Passamet Pogamnerd (THA) 70-69-71;
Selected RP scores:
211—Mars Pucay 72-71-68; 213—Gene Bondoc 73-72-68; 215—Rey Pagunsan 73-74-68, Anthony Fernando 76-67-72
