Sport | Golf

Pinoy golfer seeks ‘home' support

Last year's Asian Order of Merit winner calls on countrymen to come out in support at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

  • By Jai Prasad V. Rai, Sports Reporter, XPRESS
  • Published: 00:00 February 9, 2012
  • XPRESS

  • Image Credit: © XPRESS / Francois Nel
  • Juvic Pagunsan, filipino golfer

DUBAI: There is something for the Filipino community in the UAE to cheer when the Omega Dubai Desert Classic tees off from Thursday.

The Philippines golfing sensation and the country's number one Juvic Pagunsan will make his debut appearance in the $2.5 million European Tour event after he got an invite for his recent surge on the Asian Tour.

"It's exciting. I'm looking forward to the challenge," the 34-year-old Filipino, who was recently crowned Asian Tour player of the year and also topped the Asian Tour Order of Merit, told XPRESS.

"I heard from my friends back home that there is a huge Filipino community here. I'm happy to hear that and hopefully I will be expecting a good crowd when the championship kicks off.

"I have already met a few of them during my practice rounds and it is inspiring," he added.

It will not be smooth sailing for Pagunsan who will face some of the top golfers including world number two Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, all of whom he had played at the Hong Kong Open which McIlroy won.

"It's a tough field. But I always come to a tournament to do well and I'm confident of that. This tournament is a big step for me and a good result should give me enough confidence for future tournaments," said Pagunsan, who won his only title on the Asian Tour at the Indonesia President Invitational in 2007.

"The weather is nice but a little cold and windy and is different from my country so I think I will need to make some adjustments to my game.

"The city is fantastic. They have such lovely golf courses, big airports, huge buildings. It's definitely very different from other cities. I really like it," he said when asked about his opinion on Dubai.

Pagunsan's rise in the sport has generated a lot of interest among youngsters back home which he believes is a positive step in the development of the game. "I played well last year and that has generated interest in my country. When I was at home this time, I could see there were lots of youngsters showing interest in golf, so I think there has been a steady rise," noted Pagunsan, who is expecting to earn a card in the Japan Golf Tour. "I will try to keep my card in Japan and also focus on some tournaments on the Asian Tour."

"I want to continue playing well and keep myself focused. Every golfer wants to play the PGA tours and that is my dream as well," Pagunsan said about his goals.

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