LUBAO, Pampanga – Zianbeau Edoc bolstered his bid for a finals berth with a composed frontside effort and a robust closing stretch, closing out with back-to-back birdies to salvage a one-under 71 and seize the lead within the boys’ 11-14 division of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday.
Edoc’s late surge got here as Race Manhit, who had led for a lot of the day below scorching circumstances on the Pinatubo course of the expansive Pradera Verde Golf and Nation Membership, stumbled with a final-hole bogey to card a 74. He fell right into a tie for second with Jacob Casuga and Vito Sarines.
The thrilling end capped a day-long scramble for management – not simply of the 36-hole event, the penultimate leg of the seven-stage Luzon sequence – but additionally for invaluable rating factors wanted to qualify for the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals slated for October 7-10 at The Nation Membership in Laguna.
Regardless of lacking the primary 4 legs, Edoc – at the moment ranked No. 7 – stays mathematically within the race for a High 4 spot, having marked his JPGT debut with a dominant win over Casuga at Riviera two weeks in the past, price 15 factors. One other victory this week would considerably bolster his finals hopes heading to the ultimate leg at Camp John Hay in Baguio subsequent week.
Nonetheless, he’ll have to carry off robust contenders in Wednesday’s ultimate spherical. Sarines, Casuga and Manhit – who’re ranked second to fourth behind frontrunner Ryuji Suzuki – are all anticipated to mount a final-round cost in what’s shaping as much as be a down-to-the-wire end among the many rising stars of Philippine golf.
“I wasn’t actually doing something an excessive amount of – simply easy golf,” stated Edoc, 13, reflecting on a spherical marred by missed putts on unpredictable greens. “I simply bought fortunate with these late birdies.”
Whereas trailing Manhit coming into the ultimate holes, Edoc saved his focus. “I didn’t care in regards to the different gamers’ scores. They’re actually enjoyable to play with, however I simply centered on my recreation,” he added.
To finish a back-to-back title run and keep in finals rivalry within the sequence organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., Edoc plans to take a extra aggressive strategy on the greens. “They’re probably not that quick. I used to be studying each quick. I’ll attempt to go for each putt tomorrow.”
The Sarines twins, in the meantime, proceed to dominate the women’ 11-14 division, with Mona carding a 71 to edge forward of sister Lisa by one stroke. The duo goal to solidify their 1-2 rating and formalize their stint within the finals.
“It’s good taking part in right here at Pradera Verde – it’s simpler to goal on the pins on the entrance 9,” stated Mona, who birdied three of her final seven holes after opening with a two-over-par begin from No. 10 on a birdie and a three-bogey miscue.
“I’m going to attempt for one more win and hope to shoot higher tomorrow,” added Mona, who positioned second to Lisa within the first two legs however swept the following three.
Kendra Garingalao, ranked third, shot a 78 for solo third, adopted by Alexie Gabi (79), Marqaela Dy (81), and Eliana Dumalaog (85).
Mavis Espedido, however, prolonged her unbelievable run within the ladies’ 7-10 division with a four-under 70, shifting inside putting distance of a fourth straight leg victory within the 36-hole event.
Opening with three straight birdies, Espedido turned in a 34-36 spherical and constructed a four-shot cushion over Ronee Dungca.
“That is my first time taking part in right here at Pinatubo, and it’s a tremendous expertise,” stated Espedido, who trains at Anvaya Cove. “I felt relaxed after these birdies — it boosted my confidence.”
Dungca, who didn’t play within the first 4 legs, marked her debut with a win at Riviera two weeks in the past and stayed inside attain after back-to-back birdies to shut with a 74. She’ll must win the final two legs to crack the High 4 and make the finals, as she at the moment ranks No. 7 with 15 factors.
Venus delos Santos, ranked fifth, posted a 75 for third, whereas Penelope Sy struggled with an 84, placing her No. 4 rating in jeopardy.
Contemporary off his victory at Riviera, Zoji Edoc continued his profitable methods with a 76 to construct an eight-shot lead within the boys’ 7-10 division.
He gunned down two birdies towards two bogeys on the entrance 9 and weathered a tough again 9 (39) to remain on high.
“I performed very properly on the entrance 9 however had a nasty rating on the final 9. Tomorrow, I’ll simply concentrate on each shot,” stated the youthful Edoc.
Halo Pangilinan (84) and Korean Sooreen Lee (85) path in second and third, respectively.
Within the premier 15-18 class, set over 54- holes, Zachary Villaroman holed out with a birdie on the ninth to rescue a 73 and seize a one-stroke lead over Jose Carlos Taruc, who closed with three birdies within the final 4 holes for a 74.
Nathan Belandres and Kristoffer Nadales shared third with 80s, whereas Alonso Espartero, Andres Fabie, and Rodrigo Lim struggled within the warmth with rounds of 85, 86, and 87, respectively.
Within the ladies’ centerpiece division, Korean Seeun Pak stole the highlight in her JPGT debut, firing an 86 to seize a one-stroke lead over Chole Rada (87). Angelica Bañez and Tiffany Bernardino have been shut behind with an identical 88s.
“It’s my first time to affix the JPGT and it’s a superb expertise for my future,” stated the Angeles Metropolis-based Pak, 18, who performs out of Mimosa Plus. “I simply plan to play calmly and with out strain.”
