MANILA, Philippines — Jet Hernandez broke out of the gates hard and left everyone in pre-National Strokeplay Championship talk behind on a rainy Wednesday at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga, shooting a seven-under-par 65 for a commanding seven-shot lead.
The 21-year-old University of Denver standout reached the par-4 fourth off the tee and then drained a 15-foot eagle putt, before adding three birdies in a four-hole span from the sixth to go out in 32 and leave the field eating his dust as young Vito Sarines was the closest pursuer after a 39-33 effort.
“Everything just worked for me, most especially my putting,” said Hernandez, gunning to win this event for the second straight time after ruling it in 2024. The event took a break last year.
“It’s like every putt I looked at had a chance to go in,” he added.