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.