Unson paces China junior golf

MANILA, Philippines - Andie Unson carded a one-over par 73 to post a two-stroke lead over a Chinese rival at the start of the HSBC China Junior Golf Open at the GenZhon Golf Club in Shenzhen, China Friday.

Unson, coming off a victory in the Philippine International Junior Golf Championship back home at Ayala Greenfield, gunned down two birdies against three bogeys, missing an even par card with a missed-green bogey on No. 17.

Still, it was enough to propel the ICTSI-backed shotmaker to the top of the Class A field in the tournament which features the leading junior golfers in the region.

Fighting off the cool weather and gusty wind, Unson bounced back from a bogey on No. 6 with a birdie on the seventh but after rolling in another birdie putt on No. 12, she fumbled with another bogey on the next hole.

Two Chinese players stood behind her with 75 and 76, respectively, while Taiwanese LC Pei turned in a five-over 77 for fourth.

Reigning national champion Irina Gabasa struggled to finish with an 81 in the tournament put up by HSBC in its effort to develop golf globally at all levels.