REY Pagunsan finished in a three-way for seventh Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore.

Pagunsan, a touring pro representing Manila Southwoods, shot a one-over-par 73 at the Masters course of the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.  He tallied 283 in four days and was 11 down overall to champion Mardan Mamat of Singapore.

He opened the last 18 holes trailing by five against Mamat and several others. But the Filipino bet played brilliant with a three-under-par 69, his fourth straight sub-par round for a 72-hole total 274 and earned a fat paycheck of $9,750.

From the onset, he admitted being excited about a solid round.  But things didn?t turn out well.

?I wanted to get some momentum and start working to play well.  Yet, when you play catch up, this is what happens.  You tend to be aggressive but, at the same time, too cautious to score well,? said Pagunsan.

If there was any consolation for the uncle of Asian Tour superstar Juvic Pagunsan, it was the fact that he was the only Filipino who made it in the Top 10.  At a distant 24th place with 290 after a 75 was second year pro Jay Bayron.

?I will try to build on whatever gains I achieved here.  There are eight more tournaments in the Mercedes-Benz Tour.  There?ll be plenty of chances to win one title,? Pagunsan said. Adriano Flores