Indon surges ahead; Tanpinco 2 shots back

Indonesian Lin Setiawan carded a 77 yesterday to humble the star-studded field and post a one-shot lead over compatriot Indra Hermawan in the first round of the fourth PLDT Philippine International Junior Golf Championships at Wack Wack’s east course.

It was an inspiring debut for the 20-year-old Setiawan in an event of this magnitude as he found himself on top of the Special Division limited to players 18-21 years old.

Hermawan, who ruled this event last year, had a 78 to tie Sae-ung Wittatwat of Thailand while local bet JR Tanpinco turned in a 79 to stay within striking distance of the leader in this event organized by the Philippine Junior Golf Federation president Edgardo Angara.

Gregory Laguatan, another Filipino bet, had an 80.

A total of 108 players from 15 countries and territories are competing in this event with Kim Jin Woong of South Korea carding a 75 to pace Class B by four shots. Sri Lankan Amrith de Soysa shot a 79 while the Philippines’ Jenz Tecson is in third with an 81.

In the beginners’ group for boys (13-17), the Philippines’ Neil Franklin Fuentes shot a 118 to show the way, while compatriot Johann See paced the 12-and-under class with a 93.