HONG KONG — Juvic Pagunsan sputtered when it mattered most and fumbled with a 73, enabling Thai Tannin Kwaichai to run away with the individual crown in the Hong Kong Amateur Golf Open Championships with a closing 68 at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s Old Course here yesterday.
It was a sorry windup indeed for Pagunsan, who had looked forward to a sweep of the Filipinos here after RP Team A dominated the team event for the second straight year. One down before the start of the round, Pagunsan failed to sustain his form that netted three-under par rounds at the par-71 layout, allowing Kwaichai to turn what had been billed as a shootout into a blowout victory.
Kwaichai finished with a 265 for a six-stroke victory over Pagunsan, who, showed the way in the first two days with 63 and 69 before reeling back to second despite a 66 in the third round. He had a 271 in a tie with Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera, who shot a 68.
Kwaichai’s victory likewise underscored Thailand’s readiness for next month’s Southeast Asian Games where it hopes to spoil the Filipinos’ sweep bid in both the men’s and ladies competitions.
Tonton Asistio rallied with a two-under par 69 and salvaged solo sixth at 275 behind Jonathan Leong of Singapore (70-272) and Panuwat Muenlek, also of Thailand (67-274).
The rest of the Filipinos, whose stint here was sponsored by golf patron Ricky Razon through the National Golf Association of the Philippines, also hardly improved on their standing with Jay Bayron finishing eight with a 277 after a 70, Michael Bibat in joint 10th with a 282 after a 72, Marvin Dumandan in joint 17th with a 71 for a 285, Jun Bernis in share of 22nd with 287 after a 71.
