Pagunsan opens with a 6 under par 66 in Japan PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodles Cup 2012

Karasuyamajo Country Club, Japan – Filipino Juvic Pagunsan opened with a 6-under par 66 at the  PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodles Cup 2012.  The 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner is a stroke behind provisional first round leader Toru Taniguchi. The JPY 150 M event ($1.9M) will award JPY 30,000,000 ($376,000) to its winner.

Another Filipino campaigner is Angelo Que who opened with a 2 under par 70 for a provisional joint 12th place.  Several players have not yet finished their rounds but 2 Filipinos have a big chance to make it into the weekend play.

The last 6 champions of the tournament are Japanese.  The last non-Japanese to win was South Korean SK Ho who captured his 2nd straight title in 2005.  Current leader Toru Taniguchi won it in 2010.

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Tiger Woods captures first title after divorce

Tiger Woods (Photo credit: Richard Carter)

It has been almost 3 years since a sex scandal broke out involving Tiger Woods. The scandal affected his marriage and eventually to a divorce. Woods has never won a PGA Tour tournament since the scandal broke out. The drought ended today as Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Woods was leading after 54 holes and finished with a 70 today for a 5 shot victory over Graeme McDowell.

Woods joined 26 PGA Tour events in the span of the drought. He came close several times and many times he also got derailed by injuries.  He won the the Chevron World Challenge last December which had a field of 18 top players in the world.

The victory at Bayhill is the 72nd PGA title for  the former No.1 player. He is now 1 behind the legendary Jack Niklaus in PGA Tour wins. With the win, Woods will be ranked No.6 in the next world golf rankings.

Top 10 at Bay Hill:

1		Tiger Woods	-13	69	65	71	70	275	$1,080,000	500
2		Graeme McDowell	-8	72	63	71	74	280	$648,000	300
3		Ian Poulter	-6	71	69	68	74	282	$408,000	190
T4		Kevin Na	-5	73	68	69	73	283	$209,571	96
T4		Bubba Watson	-5	69	70	72	72	283	$209,571	96
T4		Ryan Moore	-5	71	71	71	70	283	$209,571	96
T4		Johnson Wagner	-5	71	69	69	74	283	$209,571	96
T4		Ernie Els	-5	71	70	67	75	283	$209,571	96
T4		Brian Davis	-5	70	73	70	70	283	$209,571	96
T4		Bud Cauley	-5	70	73	68	72	283	$209,571	96

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Asian Tour: Filipino Elmer Salvadar finishes 2nd in the HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Filipino Elmer Salvador finished second in the inaugural $300,000 HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic after losing to Asian Tour rookie David Lipsky in the first playoff hole. Salvador had a chance to win the tournament outright in the 18th hole but he missed his putt. He settled for a playoff where Qualifying School winner Lipsky sank a clinching chip-in birdie.

The win was worth $47,550 for the American while Salvador pocketed $32,550 (P1.38-million) for his effort. Salvador is still seeking his maiden win in the Asian Tour as he also lot in the playoffs in  last year’s ISPS Handa Singapore Classic.

Salvador in action (from pinoygolfer.com)

 

Top Ten:

POS	STARTED	NAME	NAT.	R1	R2	R3	R4	TO PAR	HOLE/(AGG)
1	8	David LIPSKY		73	68	67	65	-15	(273)
2	3	Elmer SALVADOR		68	69	68	68	-15	(273)
3	2	Niall TURNER		67	67	68	72	-14	(274)
4	5	BAEK Seuk-hyun		66	71	69	69	-13	(275)
4	11	Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL		69	64	76	66	-13	(275)
4	20	Kalle SAMOOJA		72	69	69	65	-13	(275)
7	1	KIM Hyung-sung		68	65	68	75	-12	(276)
7	3	Thanyakon KHRONGPHA		71	66	68	71	-12	(276)
7	20	KIM Gi-whan		69	71	70	66	-12	(276)
10	34	Thaworn WIRATCHANT		71	70	71	66	-10	(278)
10	27	Scott BARR		71	71	69	67	-10	(278)
10	11	Chawalit PLAPHOL		68	70	71	69	-10	(278)
10	20	Berry HENSON		68	72	70	68	-10	(278)

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World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship: Justin Rose rallies to win by 1 stroke

Rose wins by 1 stroke (pic from golf365.com)

Miami, Florida- Justin Rose survived a gallant rally by World No.1 Rory McIlroy to claim the WGC-Cadillac Championship trophy as 3rd round leader Bubba Watson collapsed with a 74.  The other big news was the withdrawal of Tiger Woods due to soreness in the left Achilles tendon.

Rose was just 2 under par for the day but it was enough to win as Watson had 4 bogeys in the front nine to fall behind after holding a 3 shot lead after 54 holes. Rory Mcilroy had a 67 in the day. He eagled the 12th hole but bogeyed the 14th and 18th holes to miss a chance to salvage a playoff or a better placing.

Filipino Juvic Pagunsan and K.J. Choi finished at 4 under par in the tournament to become the best placed Asians. They finished 35th overall and earned $60,600. Pagunsan could have a better finish as he was -4 for the day after the first 9 holes. He double bogeyed the 13th and 18th holes to finish with a par 72 for the day.

Final Leaderboard:

1. Rose (-16)
2. Watson (-15)
3. McIlroy (-14)
T-4. Schwartzel (-13)
T-4. Hanson (-13)
T-6. Sendon (-12)
T-6. Donald (-12)

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World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship Round 3: Big Guns make move but Watson still leads the field

McIlroy shot an amazing 65 but still trails Watson by 8 shots (photo from http://www.sportsagentblog.com/)

Miami, Florida – Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods positioned themselves inside the Top 10 after 54 holes of play in the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship held at TPC Blue Monster at Doral. World No.1 Rory McIlroy had the day’s best score with an eagle-aided 65. Woods had a 68. Both players are now at -9 in the tournament and tied for 8th along with Charl Swartzel, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, and Webb Simpson.  They are still 8 shots a drift from leader Bubba Watson who had a 67 which includes in eagle at hole no.1.

Trailing Watson are Justin Rose and Keegan Bradley who are 202 and just 3 shots behind. 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan had an even par 72 for the day to fall to 32nd place with an aggregate of 212. The best Asian golfer after 3 rounds is K.J. Choi at 211.

Leaders after 72 holes:

1. Bubba Watson 70-62-67 199 -17

2. Justin Rose 69-64-69 202 -14

2. Keegan Bradley 69-67-66 202 -14

4. Peter Hanson 70-65-69 204 -12

5. Matt Kuchar 72-67-66 205 -11

5. Zach Johnson 70-68-67 205 -11

 

Round 3 best scores:

1. Rory McIlroy 65 -7

2. Keegan Bradley 66 -6

2. Matt Kuchar 66 -6

2. Webb Simpson 66 -6

2. Hunter Mahan 66 -6

 

 

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World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship Round 2: Watson grabs the lead with a superb 62

Image via Wikipedia

Miami, Florida- Bubba Watson of the USA take the top spot after 36 holes of the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship. Day 2 sizzled with great scored as the top players brought their A games. Watson was amazing with a 10 under 62 for a 2-day total of 132. He had 9 birdies, 1 eagle against single bogey. Bubba Watson leads Justin Rose, who had an 8 under 64, by one shot. First round co-leader Adam Scott is a shot back at 134.

Filipino Juvic Pagunsan fell to 21st place. He is 8-shots behind Watson after shooting a 1-under par 71. He had 4 birdies against 3 bogeys. Tiger Woods is 1 shot ahead of Pagunsan after a 67 in day 2. World No.1 Rory McIlroy shot a 69 to have an aggregate of 142. Korea’s Y.E. Yang is the best placed Asian with a 139 and good for 15th place.

The tournament has only 74 participants so there are no cuts.

Day 2 Top 5

1. Bubba Watson 70 62 132 -12

2. Justin Rose 69 64 133 -11

3. Adam Scott 66 68 134 -10

4. Peter Handon 70 65 135 -9

5. Thomas Bjorn 68 68 136 -8

5. Keegan Bradley 69 67 136 -8

Day 2 Best Scorers

62 Bubba Watson

64 Justin Rose/Martin Kaymer

65 Peter Hanson/ Bo Van Pelt

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World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship: Juvic Pagunsan tied for 5th after 1st round

Miami, Florida – Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion Juvic Pagunsan represented Asia well in the opening round of the WGC- Cadillac Championship. Pagunsan shot a 3-under 69 after putting 4 birdies against a lone bogey. He trails joint leaders Jason Dufner of the USA and Adam Scott of Australia by 3 shots. Tiger Woods shot an ever par 72 at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.  Woods is a 6-time winner of the championship.

The WGC-Cadillac Championship is one of the 4 yearly world golf championships. The first was the Accenture Match Play Championship held last month. The field of the Cadillac Championship is just around 70 players because only the Top 50 players in the world and the top order of merit players from around the most prestigious tours around the world are invited.

No Asian has ever won at the WGC-Cadillac which counts Woods, Ernie Els, and Phil Mickelson as among the past winners. Should Pagunsan pull a victory here then it will be a great achievement for the Philippines and Asia.

Leaderboard after 18 holes

1. Adam Scott/Jason Dufner -6 66

3. Charl Swartzel/Thomas Bjorn -4 68

5. Juvic Pagunsan/Steve Stricker/Alvaro Quiros/Miguel Jimenez/Kyle Stanley/Keegan Bradley/Aaron Baddeley -3 69

caloycomment: I am pleasantly surprised that a Filipino scored better than Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in big golf tournament…MORE

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65th PAL Interclub Winners

Another year and another successful staging of the countries most prestigious and longest running inter golf club tournament, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub. Here are the winners of the 65th staging of the event:

Seniors

Championship Division:

Winner: Canlubang 571

First Runner-up: Luisita 568

2nd Runner-up: Cebu Country Club 566

Founder’s Division:

Winner: Manila Golf 523

First Runner-up: APO Golf 523

2nd Runner-up: Eagle Ridge 515

Friendship Division:

Winner: Club Intramuros 442

First Runner-up: Fil-am Florida 389

2nd Runner-up: Southbay 284

Sportswriter’s Division:

Winner: Fil-Am Hawaii 479

First Runner-up: Davao 473

2nd Runner-up: Chamorro 472

Men’s

Championship Division:

Winner: Cebu Country Club 507

First Runner-up: Del Monte 499

2nd Runner-up: Alabang 493

Founder’s Division:

Winner: Wack-Wack 476

First Runner-up: Orchard 461

2nd Runner-up: Negros 445

Friendship Division:

Winner: Autral-Asian 303

First Runner-up: Fil-am Hawaii 284

2nd Runner-up: PGA British Columbia 282

Sportswriter’s Division:

Winner: Camp John Hay 411

First Runner-up: Eagle Ridge 388

2nd Runner-up: Mt. Malindang 387

Congratulations to the winners, participants, organizers, and sponsors!

Golf: Filipino Juvic Pagunsan tops Asian Tour Order of Merit

After the recent UBS Hong Kong Open that was won by World No.2 Rory McIlroy, Juvic Pangunsan becomes the first Filipino to become No.1 in the Asian Tour. Pagunsan placed tenth in the tournament adding to his tour leading earnings. He has now earned $788,298.60.

Asian Top 10:

1.

Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) $788,298.60

2. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND)	$444,528.50
3. Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN)	$435,817.93
4. Jbe KRUGER (RSA)	$356,033.62
5. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA)	$329,522.13
6. David GLEESON (AUS)	$292,880.00
7. SIDDIKUR (BAN)	$291,653.04
8. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA)	$289,817.81
9. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA)	$266,245.74
10. LU Wei-chih (TPE)	$265,580.47

The 33 year old Filipino parbuster replaces 201o winner Noh Seung-Yu. Because of his feat, the Filipino flag will be represent in next year’s British Open and World Golf Championship. Next up for Pagunsan and the Asian Tour is the season-ending $1 Million Thailand Golf Chmapionship at the Amata Spring Country Club on December 15-18. The Awarding ceremonies of the season’s top performers will be held on December 18.

 

Related Links:

Asian Tour website

Asian Tour: PHL’s Pagunsan grabs Order of Merit lead

The “bad boy” of Philippine fairways Juvic Pagunsan now ranks No.1 in the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit after a losing a playoff to Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in the Barclays Singapore Open. The heart-breaking loss gave him a  $666,660 consolation prize. Pagunsan has now earned $721,298.60 of prize money this. The amount is around $280,000 more than erstwhile leader S.S.P. Chowrasia of India who missed the cut in tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

He has been sizzling in the local circuit earlier this year winning 4 events before being suspended by the local golf tour for failure to properly register his caddie. He also had several run-ins and incident this season at the fairways. In the Asian circuit, the 1997 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year was only ranked 54th and was in danger of losing his tour card before his breakthrough performance at Sentosa last weekend.

The no.2 finish vaulted the 33 year old Pagunsan to the Top 200 in the World Rankings.  He now sits at 177th, 300 rungs higher than his previous rank.  He gained 27.6 points in the Singapore Open. Winner Fernandez-Castano gained 46 points. The runner-up prize almost the double the Filipino’s career earnings as he earned only $930,000 in the 6 seasons in the Asian Tour. He now breaks the 1 Million dollar barrier and if he keeps it up, he will be the first Filipino to top the Asian Tour Order of Merit and get a chance to play in the majors.

Pagunsan celebrates!

ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-10
Pos. Player Winnings (US$)
1. Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI)  $721,298.60
2. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) $444,528.50
3. Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) $435,817.93
4. Jbe KRUGER   (RSA) $342,283.62
5. Thaworn WIRATCHANT   (THA) $297,484.63
6. David GLEESON   (AUS) $292,880.00
7. SIDDIKUR   (BAN) $266,028.04
8. LU Wei-chih   (TPE) $259,080.47
9. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT   (THA) $218,867.81
10. Thongchai JAIDEE   (THA) $201,020.74

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