Negrense golfer Juvic Pagunsan has practically won every amateur crown in the Philippines. But he will not be among the favorites as he sets out in his professional golf debut in the Pakistan Open that starts today in Karachi.

Making its debut on the Asian Tour, the Pakistan Open is the second leg of the 2006 season and Pagunsan will have to contend with the Tour's bigwigs that includes the likes of Australia's Marcus Both, currently sixth on the UBS Order of Merit, Korea-American Ron Won, and former Tour winners Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Malaysia's Danny Chia, Myanmar's Zaw Moe and American Andrew Pitts.

Filipino Frankie Miñoza and Angelo Que are also joining the $200,000 event at the Karachi Golf Club, which will also be the first Asian Tour tournament to receive a substantial increase in world ranking points.

Pagunsan, winner last year of the Philippine, Thailand and Malaysian Amateurs, capped a checkered amateur career with a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in December.*CPT

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