Zaragosa shoots ace, shares 11-14 lead with Sarines
PRECIOUS ZARAGOSA and Mona Sarines carded similar two-over 74s to share a five-stroke lead in the 54-hole girls’ 11 to 14 years old category in the Junior Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) at the Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas, on Tuesday.
Zaragosa’s standout performance included a hole-in-one on No. 3 while Sarines finished strong with two birdies in the last three holes at the front in scorching conditions.
e duo wrested a commanding lead over Lisa Sarines in one of the three age categories in the Luzon Series I of the of the 14-leg circuit organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“I was really surprised,” said Zaragosa, who used a Mizuno pitching wedge and Titleist No. 2 ball to ace the 100-yard hole. “But I became nervous after that and made a double bogey and bogey in the next two holes.”
Like most of the 60 participants, Zaragosa intends to compete in all 14 legs of the JPGT, which will culminate in the Match Play Championship in October.
Sarines acknowledged the need to improve on her approach shots.
“ere’s still 36 holes left so I’ll just do my best and improve on those aspects,” she said.
Levonne Talion and Aerin Chua carded 83 and 87, respectively, while Althea Bañez and Kendra Garingalao struggled with 91 and 93.
In the boys’ 11-14 division, Race Manhit, 11, demonstrated his potential with an 81—despite going without a birdie—for a two-shot lead over Juan Antonio Cruz and Aenzo Sulaik, who had 83s.
Javie Bautista and Iñigo Gallardo stayed within striking distance with 85 and 86, respectively.
“e greens are fast and I couldn’t get my putting right,” Manhit said.
e JPGT, sponsored by the International Container Terminal Services Inc., aims to nurture young talent and promote camaraderie among participants also in the 8-10 (36 holes) and 15-18 (72 holes) categories both boys and girls.