Gao, Corpus, Dy zero in on Jr World berths

MANILA, Philippines - Wei Wei Gao, Carl Corpus and John Edward Dy closed in on the top berths in their respective divisions after posting comfortable leads going into the final round of The Manila Southwoods Junior World Qualifying tournament at the Manila Southwoods Legends course.

Gao added another one-over-par 73 to his earlier efforts of 65 and 73 to regain a six-shot lead in the boys 15-17 years with a 211 total yesterday. Corpus had an even bigger eight-stroke spread in the  boys 13-14 years after a 71-215 while Dy turned his best score in three days – 72 – to seize a seven-shot lead in boys 11-12.

In boys 9-10, Zeus Sara fired a 74 for a 232 total that pushed him far ahead by nine.

Pauline del Rosario of Team The Country Club, Burberry Zhang, Annika Cayabyab and Rianne Malixi were the 54-hole leaders in the tourney co-presented by Philippine Airlines and supported by the Philippine Golf Foundation.

Over at the Riviera Sports Club, Alexander Crisostomo and Christiane Monique virtually put a lock on the top awards in the 6 years and under class while Miko Granada and Venice Tiamsic stayed on top of the 7-8 years battle.

The 12 division winners after Friday’s final round will be awarded with free round-trip tickets to Los Angeles by PAL.