Palanca, Wong top PGF jr golf

BAGUIO , Philippines -– Philippe Palanca got back on the winning track with a come-from-behind victory in the boys 11-12 years while club bet Luigi Paolo Wong  topped the 13-14 age-group in the recent Northern Luzon leg of the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters at the Baguio Country Club here.

Palanca ended a long title drought when the former US Kids world champion posted 65-70 for a 135 total to beat Jolo Magcalayo (63-73) by one and the fancied Josh Jorge  (68-70) by three strokes.

Arnie Taguines also recalled her winning form to deny Annyka Cayabyab in the girls 9-10. Taguines chalked up rounds of 78-77 for 155 to foil Cayabyab’s bid for a third straight victory in the ICTSI-JGFP Summer Circuit as the latter soared to an 81 in the final round after taking the lead with a 77 in the first round for a 158.

Daniella Uy had 66-68-134 to easily win the 15-17 years by nine over Nikki Bruce  whose younger sister Sam beat Jona Magcalayo by eight in the 13-14 years with her 76-69-145. Nicole Abelar  (75-72-147) was the runaway victor in the 11-12 years where Mariel Tee ended 18 strokes behind while Princess Pascua beat Monique Arroyo in the  7-8 years.

Joseph Orbito, Sean Granada, Andrew Chua and Joshua Cole Cruz joined Palanca and Wong as  boys division winners.

Wong had the lowest aggregate among the winners of 129 after his 64-65 which was good for a nine-shot win over Ryan Monsalve in the 13-14 years, Orbito (66-66-132) beat Lanz Uy by three in the 15-17 play, Granada (74-76-150) finished eight shots ahead of Francis Lanuza in the 9-10 years, Chua’s 89 won him his division by five over Zachary Castro in the 7-8 years and Cruz nipped Miko Granada by one, 74-73, in the six-under class.

The top three finishers in each class earned slots to the national finals at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Gen. Trias, Cavite on May 28-30.

The Cebu Country Club will

host the Visayas leg next on April 28-29.