Long hitter Yee sizzles with 68 in JW qualifier

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines – Miggy Yee fired a four-under-par 68 for a commanding six-stroke advantage in the boys Class A division even as Princess Superal and Marvi Monsalve each carded identical one-under-par 71s to share the girls’ Class A lead after the opening round of the national qualifying tournament for the Junior World Championships at the Legends course of the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

The long-hitting Yee used his knowledge of his home course for the day’s best round. He bucked a bogey on the first hole with birdies on the third, fifth and sixth then added two more, on the 11th and 14th, to finish six ahead of Sebastian Lorenzo (74).

Fancied Gio Gandionco of Cebu and Jama Reyes were next with 75s followed by Aristeo Mata 76, Rogelio Roque 76, Inigo Raymundo 77, Alissandro Tan 78, last week’s Interclub inidividual medalist JP de Claro 79.  Mark Arevalo, Justin Quiban, Francis Bumagat, Miguel Shah, and Kuresh Samanodi all ended with 80s.

Superal, the former Asian junior champion, wielded a hot putter in the back nine where she started, nailing birdies on Nos. 13, 15 and 17.  But the ICTSI bet reeled back on the second hole, where she landed on the bunker twice before reaching the green in three then three-putted for a double bogey six to settle for a 33-38 card.

Monsalve, who was in a flight ahead of Superal, highlighted her round with a superb eagle on the par-five eighth hole.  Overall, she made four birdies as against a double bogey on the 14th and three bogeys in the event which offers 17 slots to the upcoming Callaway Junior World Championship in San Diego in July.

Juily Vasandani was five behind in the distaff side after she turned in a four-over-par 76. Andrea Unson churned out a five-over 77 while Daniella Uy wound up with a six-over 78, in a tie with Cebuana beauty Alleska Yunam.

Miya Legaspi signed for a two-over 74 to wrest a one shot lead in the girls’ Class B.  Pauline del Rosario made a 75 while Cebu-based Rachita Vasandani had a 78. The four-over 76 of Mikka Fortuna was tops in the girls’ Class C putting her four ahead of Harmie Constantino (8), Bernice Ilas had a seven-over 63 in the shortened par 56 girls’ Class D to go three up on Nicole Abelar. In the boys’ Class D, which played to a par 62, Carl Corpus came through with a 64, four up on Josh Jorge’s 68.  A far third was Justin Magsino with a 74.

A total of 145 participants from all over the country are playing in the four-day qualifier organized by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) and sponsored by ICTSI, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, Sizzlin’ Pepper, PAL, Duty Free Philippines, McDonald’s, Golf Depot, Pioneer Insurance, PacSports, Julies Bakeshop, Inquirer Golf and Microtel.