Aboitiz Invitational LogoFormer Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan claimed his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) win after romping to a commanding eight-shot victory at the US$100,000 Aboitiz Invitational on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Filipino, who held a share of the overnight lead, nailed six birdies to sign for a closing six-under-par 65 and a winning total of 20-under-par 264 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club’s Legends course.

Compatriot Angelo Que, a three-time Asian Tour winner, carded a 72 to settle for second place with Thai duo Nirun Sae-Ueng and Pijit Petchkasem, who signed for 67 and 73 respectively at the Aboitiz Invitational.

Australian Paul Donahoo and local talent Zanie Boy Gialon posted matching 68s to finish one shot back in fifth place alongside Japan’s Masaru Takahashi (70) and Filipino Clyde Mondilla (70) in what is the ADT’s third stop in the Philippines this season.

Defending champion Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines capped his best efforts of a 65 to grab a share of ninth place on 274 with countryman Jay Bayron (69), American duo Blake Snyder (68) and Greg Moss (72).

Pagunsan was in total control heading into the final round as he extended his overnight one-shot lead to six by turning in 32 with four birdies on the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes. He added two more birdies on 13th and 14th coming home which ensured a victorious walk up the 18th fairway.

“I was actually confident of winning after I birdied the fifth hole. It kind of got my momentum going and I knew I had a big advantage heading into the remaining of the final round,” said Pagunsan, who first won on the ADT in 2010 at the Bali Open.

“I have been feeling good all week and my game was in good shape. I thought I was going to drop a shot on the 12th but I managed to save par after chipping in from the side of the greens. That was a good par save I thought.

“It has been a long while since I won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2011. This win will be a great boost of confidence for me and I am looking forward to playing in Japan and on the Asian Tour for the remaining of the season,” added the father of two.

Pagunsan will take home a prize purse of US$17,500 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking points. The top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Past winners of the Aboitiz Invitational include Jay Bayron (2011), Elmer Salvador (2012 and 2013) and Antonio Lascuna, who won last year. No foreigner has won the prestigious tournament since its inception in 2011.

The ADT has grown from five events when it was inaugurated in 2010 to 21 tournaments in 2014. A record 24 tournaments have been confirmed for the 2015 season.

The ADT will continue to reward the top-five finishers on the final Order of Merit with Asian Tour cards for 2016.

With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

 

Leading final round scores

264 – Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 69-62-68-65

272 – Nirun SAE_UENG (THA) 67-69-69-67, Angelo QUE (PHI) 66-67-67-72, Pijit PETCHKASEM (THA) 66-66-67-73

273 – Paul DONAHOO (AUS) 69-66-70-68, Zanie Boy GIALON (PHI) 70-63-72-68, Clyde MONDILLA (PHI) 67-70-66-70, Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 66-69-68-70

274 – Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 68-71-70-65, Blake SNYDER (USA) 70-69-67-68, Jay BAYRON (PHI) 67-70-68-69, Greg MOSS (USA) 72-66-64-72

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