By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Tiffany Bernardino scraped through with 86 to take an early lead in the ICTSI-Junior Philippine Golf Tour Visayas Series 3 at the challenging Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course on Monday afternoon, July 1.
Starting at the backside of the tricky par-70 layout, Bernardino narrowly edged out Alexie Gabi, 44-45, and endured a shaky finish at the front to match Gabi’s closing 42, netting her a slight cushion in one of the most competitive age categories.
Bernardino, who ruled last week’s Bacolod leg, now leads the race for the Top 2 spots for the national finals.
But Gabi, who topped the first leg in Iloilo, stood just a stroke behind with 87, while Rane Chiu and Louise Jalandoni posted 91 and 99, respectively.
“The Marapara course was tough, with very wet grass, which made it difficult to hit the ball properly,” Bernardino said.
In the boys’ 13-15 division, Bacolod leg winner Nyito Tiongco took the lead with an even frontside 35, capitalizing on Gabriel Handog’s double bogeys in the last two holes to pull ahead by two strokes with 75.
Tiongco highlighted his round with a birdie on no. 14, after nearly hitting a marshal with a sliced drive, but recovered with a precise pitch into the hole.
In the premier 16-18 division, Dominique Gotiong maintained her momentum from her runaway victory in Bacolod, establishing an early 20-stroke lead with 82, as Breanna Rojas and Rhiena Sinfuego struggled with 102 and 103, respectively.
The boys’ 16-18 race began with Del Monte’s Simon Wahing taking the lead with a closing frontside 35, finishing with 74.
He leads by three strokes over Azie Acuña IV, who scored 77.
Cody Langamin, the early leader, fell to third with 78, followed by Bryce Lacida (79), Eddie Gonzales, Jr. (80) and Keith Pagalan (81).
The girls’ 8-9 category saw a three-way tie with Ana Marie Aguilar, Aria Montelibano and Faith Reosura all scoring 120.
Anezka Golez trailed with 130.
In the youngest boys’ category, James Rolida led with 90 after a steady backside finish of 43, overtaking Tobias Tiongko, who finished with 93.
In the boys’ 10-12 division, Ateneo’s Race Manhit, the runaway winner in Bacolod, secured an 18-stroke lead with 78.
Rafael Alvarez and Isaac Locsin struggled with scores of 96 and 101, respectively.
Maurysse Abalos and Kelsey Bernardino, both from Saint Pedro Poveda, matched 86 each in the girls’ 10-12 division, racing to a 28-shot lead over Chelsea Ogborne (114).
Nikaella Salahog and Crystalie Bornales followed with 132 and 133, respectively./ASC, WDJ