PERTAMINA INDONESIA PRESIDENT INVITATIONAL RELATED STORIES Pertamina Indonesia President Inv'l home page Pertamina Indonesia President Inv'l Preview Four to watch this week Round 1: Prom and Hur take clubhouse lead Round 1: Basic joins leaders as 1st rd completed Round 2: Lu in three-way tie for clubhouse lead Round 2: Westwood joins leaders at halfway Round 3: Prom and Kang battle for lead Round 3: Bhullar & Kang lead after three rounds Round 4: Birdie-eagle finish gives Pagunsan maiden victory Final Scores & Prize Money About the Damai Indah Golf BSC Course Full details of the Damai Indah BSC course Westwood in form for first Indonesian outing Asian Tour supports Parent-Child pro-am Liang fit again for Indonesian challenge Indonesia hopes President Invitational will boost local golf Liang joins powerful Pertamina Indonesia field Lee Westwood to play P. Indonesia Pres. Inv'l ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Pain for Choi as Harrington defends Open: Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes Open: Tough Open makes Lam eye Asian success Open: Angelo Que means to learn and return Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Padraig Harrington hungry for more success Michelle Wie to play on PGA Tour again IGF forms 2016 Olympic Committee Greg Norman proud of achievement Ian Poulter impressive with second place Henrik Stenson happy with his best ever finish

Birdie - eagle finish gives Pagunsan maiden victory

Filipino star Juvic Pagunsan enjoyed an emotional maiden triumph at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational on Sunday.

The 29-year-old champion broke into tears when he produced his breakthrough win at the Damai Indah Golf – BSD Course as he walked away with the winner’s cheque of US$55,475. He blasted a final round of seven-under-par 65 for a winning total of 19-under-par 269 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

With the win, Pagunsan leaped up to 33rd position on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit with total earnings of US$92,027.

Pagunsan, who was the Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year in 2006, romped home in style with a birdie on the 17th and an eagle at the final 18th hole as he forced Indian rookie Gaganjeet Bhullar to claim second position a stroke behind after a 69. Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood holed a lengthy 25 foot putt for eagle on his final hole to finish with a 70 as he ended his campaign in tied third spot alongside American Anthony Kang who shot a 71.

“I am speechless, it was the perfect finish for me. I’ve enjoyed my time on the Asian Tour and this is what I’ve been waiting for in my career,” said Pagunsan.

“I would like to dedicate this win to my wife (Maria Eleana) and my daughter (LJ) as they’ve supported me all the way. I would like to thank my sponsors and everyone who has been there for me,” added the Filipino young gun.

Pagunsan, who shot a 71 in the third round, was three strokes off the pace heading into the final round but four birdies on the front nine set him on the right path. He chalked up his fifth birdie of the day on the 13th hole before a dropped shot on the 15th hole. He trailed Bhullar by two strokes but with three holes to play, Pagunsan produced a stunning finish striking a birdie on the 17th and an eagle on the 18th hole.

“I wasn’t hitting it too well coming into this tournament but Tony Lascuna and Jerome Delariarte gave me a good tip on my swing which helped. They said I was moving too much on my swing so I remained focused, adjusted well for a top finish.

“I was very confident with my putting this week and I never doubted myself on the 17th hole. After a solid drive on the following 18th hole, I was 205 yards away from the pin and I used a six iron where the ball landed seven feet short. I was thinking only of an eagle and it rolled in nicely so I’m extremely happy,” admitted Pagunsan.

With five birdies against two bogeys, Bhullar was ahead of Pagunsan and completed his round with a one stroke lead before the eagle by the Filipino ended Bhullar’s chances of a maiden win in his rookie season.

“I am happy for Juvic as he played well. I enjoyed myself out there and I know that my time will come. I love this course and I would like to be in contention in future events,’ said Bhullar, with 10 amateur wins in the domestic circuit before turning pro in 2006.

“It was quite a nervous wait but I remained cool because in golf anything can happen. This is a really good result for me and I will be looking forward to a strong finish this season,” added the 19-year-old Indian rookie.

Englishman Westwood, with wins in Japan, Macau and Malaysia, shot his second straight 70 thanks to an eagle on the final hole as he finished in joint third.

“I couldn't find my rhythm on the greens until the very end. But I had a good time here and it’s been a great experience playing on this course. Congratulations to Juvic who enjoyed a great finish,” said Westwood.

Leading final round scores (click here for full leaderboard and prize money):

269 - Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 66-67-71-65
270 - Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 70-64-67-69
272 - Lee Westwood (ENG) 67-65-70-70, Anthony Kang (USA) 67-65-69-71
273 - Scott Barr (AUS) 70-71-66-66, Prom Meesawat (THA) 65-70-68-70, Harmeet Kahlon (IND) 66-68-70-69
274 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 70-67-71-66, Mark Brown (NZL) 70-66-71-67
275 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-68-71-64, Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 67-69-69-70, Neven Basic (AUS) 65-67-72-71
276 - Hur In-hoi (KOR) 65-69-69-73
277 - Adam Blyth (AUS) 70-69-69-69, Hsu Mong-nan (TPE) 68-69-70-70, Digvijay Singh (IND) 67-66-74-70, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-62-72-73

October 28, 2007