Asian Tour's rising star Juvic Pagunsan has ushered in the New Year in high spirits and will be gunning for a memorable outing at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week.

The talented Filipino is brimming with enthusiasm ahead of his maiden US PGA Tour appearance after enjoying a stunning rookie season year where he finished seventh on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

With four top-10s, including a memorable runner-up finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open, the 28-year-old is relishing at the opportunity of competing against many of the world's best players, including Michelle Wie, at Waialee Country Club starting on Thursday.

“I am looking forward to it. It will be my first time playing in a US Tour event. I hope I can play well. This is a good opportunity for me,” said Pagunsan, who received a sponsor's invitation for winning the 2006 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year award.

“I’ve been practising really hard at home and didn’t have much of a break for Christmas and New Year. I got up at 5.30am every morning, jogged a lot and put in a lot of practice as well. I wanted to further improve my strength and stamina in preparation of the challenges ahead this year."

Pagunsan arrives in Hawaii on Tuesday morning and he's looking to gain local knowledge of the course by playing in a practice round with the club pro, who is a Filipino.

Amongst the top names competing this week include world number five Vijay Singh of Fiji, winner of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii on Sunday, and US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia.

“There are a lot of Filipinos in Hawaii and even the home pro at the course is a Filipino. I’ve arranged to play a practice round with him where I hope to learn more about the course. I will target to play my own game and hope to put up some good scores,” he added.

It will be a memorable return for Pagunsan who has already tasted sweet success in Hawaii during his blossoming amateur career some 13 years ago.

“I’ve been to Hawaii before. I won the sectional qualifying for US Amateur Championship in 1994 and played in the US Amateur in New York. However, it’s a different course for the Sony Open. I hear that it's Michelle Wie's home course, maybe I'll have a chance to play with her.

“I'm representing the Asian Tour in Hawaii and I feel it's a great honour. I have been really pleased with my achievements in 2006. I didn’t expect to play so well. I did not have a good start in the first half of the year but I started getting more experience after the Philippine Open. My putting also worked out so well. It was especially good in Hong Kong and Brunei,” said Pagunsan, who finished tied third at the Brunei Open last August.

The other Asian Tour stalwarts chasing for glory in Hawaii include Australia’s Andrew Buckle, fifth on the UBS Order of Merit last year, compatriot Jarrod Lyle, Korea’s Charlie Wi, the 2005 Maybank Malaysian Open winner, and former Asian Tour regulars Choi Kyung-ju of Korea and Sweden's Daniel Chopra.

Following the Sony Open, Pagunsan will return to the Asian Tour and compete in the co-sanctioned Commercialbank Qatar Masters from January 25-28 in Doha.

“My goals for 2007 will be to find more success and play consistently. Winning a tournament is my first target and I know I must work harder at my game. To have a chance to play in all the co-sanctioned events will be exciting,” he said.

January 9, 2007

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