MANILA – Filipino golfer Juvic Pagunsan is close to securing qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following his triumph in the 2021 Mizuno Open over the weekend in Okayama, Japan.
The Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Pagunsan ranks 50 in the latest Olympic golf rankings, after climbing to 21st place in the world golf rankings with his recent championship.
This 43-year-old golfer could formalize his qualification to the Olympics if he remains in the top 60 of the Olympic golf ranking when the Tokyo Olympic Committee finalizes the list of golf participants on June 30.
For Pagunsan, it would be a wish fulfilled if he obtains a ticket to the Summer Games.
“It’s an honor to be able to fight on behalf of the country. If I have a chance (to play in the Tokyo Olympics), I want to participate,” Pagunsan said in an interview with Golf Digest Japan.
If ever the Negrense golfer’s Tokyo Olympics stint is formalized, he will follow the footsteps of Miguel Tabuena, who carried the country’s colors in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
However, his impending qualification could also be a dilemma since the Olympics is from July 29 to August 7, a few days away from his stint in the prestigious 2021 British Open.
The 2021 British Open is slated from July 15 to 18 at Royal St. George’s Golf Course in Kent, England, while the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is scheduled from July 29 to August 7 in Tokyo, Japan.
This will be his second time to compete in the British Open after nine years, where he ranked 72nd in the tournament./PN
