IGF confirms Juvic Pagunsan's Olympic qualification

Juvic Pagunsan became the 13th member of the Philippine team to the Tokyo Olympics.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Juvic Pagunsan is officially heading to the Tokyo Olympics.

The International Golf Federation announced on Tuesday night that the 43-year-old Filipino golfer nailed a spot in the quadrennial meet after staying inside the Top 60 in the Olympic rankings.

Pagunsan actually rose to number 49 in the Olympic rankings from number 51 last week.

The Olympic rankings are based on the world rankings, although the IGF sets two quota limits, four for countries with a player inside the Top 15 and two for countries that are outside the Top 15 with the first quota enforced.

After the quota rules have been imposed, Pagunsan, who jumped to number 216 in the PGA Tour rankings, got the Olympic nod.

Pagunsan's win in the Mizuno Open in Japan turned out to be the deciding factor for him to clinch the 13th Olympic spot for the Philippines.

That leaves female golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan in the wait list.

Saso, the world number nine in the LPGA rankings, and Pagdanganan, currently seeded 42nd in the Olympic rankings, are expected to formalize their entries to the Tokyo Olympics next Tuesday.

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