Juvic Pagunsan displays his trophy after successfully defending his ICTSI Golf Tour title at Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City on Friday.

DAVAO CITY — Juvic Pagunsan fired a closing two-under par 70 Friday to become the first player to defend a title in the three-year-old ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

The Apo Golf and Country Club has built a reputation as one of the country’s toughest courses, but Pagunsan was up to the challenge, breaking par in each of the three rounds for a 54-hole total of 208, eight under regulation.

Sophomore pro Ferdie Aunzo, tied with Pagunsan at the start of the day, struggled with a 74 and slipped to a share of second place at 212 with little-known Elmer Saban who shot a 70.

Pagunsan’s four-shot victory mirrored his six-shot triumph last year.

“Apo Golf brings out the best in me,” said the 31-year-old Pagunsan. “I love courses that forced you to think on every shot.”

Despite a brief break in concentration at the start of the back nine, Pagunsan was a picture of consistency, collecting three birdies in the front nine to build a commanding six-shot lead.

Aunzo opened with a birdie to grab the lead, but unravelled in the next two holes, dropping three shots. Another bogey on No. 6 dropped him farther.

“After I missed a short birdie putt on the seventh, I knew it was over,” said Aunzo, relegated to a battle for second with Saban.

Pagunsan, a four-year Asian Tour veteran, said he became complacent after taking a huge lead at the turn. He bogeyed No. 10 and 11, allowing Saban to come to within three shots, but birdied 14 and 15 to build a five-shot cushion going into the last three holes.

With the title all but sewn up, attention shifted to the battle for second between two Davao-born players.

Saban, playing in the championship flight for the first time, made up four shots in the front nine to tie Aunzo.

After dropping three shots behind Saban, Aunzo birdied No. 14 against Saban’s bogey and drew level with another birdie on the following hole. Aunzo and Saban matched birdies on the 18th to finish tied Saban had nothing but praise for Pagunsan.

“Ibang level talaga ang laro. Pang international,” said Saban who picked up his biggest paycheck.

Pagunsan earned P200,000 for his second victory this season, bringing his total earnings to P797,332.80.

The scores:
208 — J. Pagunsan (69-69-70)
212 — E. Saban (69-73-70), F. Aunzo (69-69-74)
216 — R. Bayron (74-70-72)
217 — E. Salvador (73-71-73)
218 — T. Lascuna (73-76-69), A. Murakami (74-73-71), E. Quiachon (70-76-72)
219 — C. La O’ (76-71-72), J. Ababa (am) (72-74-73)
220 — C. Casas (71-78-71), A. Fernando (75-70-75)