By Adrian Stewart Co

Negrense golfer Juvic Pagunsan made an impression in the opening round of 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.

The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Pagunsan finished the first round tied at fifth place (seventh in the rankings) with -5 thru 18 holes. Austria’s Sepp Straka leads the event with -8.

Pagunsan started with pars in the first three holes for a -1 score before going even in the fourth hole due to bogey but managed to bounce back with a par on the fifth hole.

Pagunsan then scored three straight birdies in holes 6, 7 and 8 and pars in the holes 9, 10 and 11 for -3 before the game was halted due to possible lightning.

After two hours, Pagunsan kept his game going as he had a birdie on 13th and 16th holes and settled for par in holes 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18 for a decent start in the Olympics.

According to National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) secretary general Bones Floro, the 43-year old Pagunsan is inspired to have a strong showing following the gold medal feat of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

“With Hidilyn’s historic win and the success of our boxers, our golfers are flowing with pride, honor and nationalism. What better inspiration than to add to an entire nation’s success,” said Floro.

Meanwhile, rower Cris Nievarez has been relegated to Group D classification after settling for fifth place finish in the first heat of the men’s singles sculls classification round on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Nievarez stopped the clock at 7:26.05, 23.56 seconds off heat winner Alvaro Torres Matias of Peru. The group D classification is slated today.

The Quezon City-native Nievarez dropped out of medal contention in the Tokyo Olympics men’s singles sculls after falling short during the quarterfinals round last Sunday./ASC, WDJ