LUCAS de Guzman got his bid for back-to-back titles going in the Mindanao leg of Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) as he carded an opening round 5-over 77 in the Pueblo de Oro Junior Open on Saturday at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country in Cagayan de Oro.
The six-year-old de Guzman, who dominated 6-under division during the Davao meet early this month at Apo Golf, showed poise under pressure after struggling early with his putting.
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De Guzman, who played in the 2022 IMG Academy Junior World Championships in the US and is coached by Toch “J3” Altea, had five birdies, four bogeys and two double bogeys for an 11-shot lead over Ethan Franco Lago, who had an 88.
Sisters Nicole and Stephanie Gaisano-Gan also led their respective divisions.
Nicole was up by five strokes after a 76 against the 81 of Isabella Tabanas in the 11-12 girls. Stephanie had an eight-shot advantage after an 87 against Soleil Ianne Molde’s 95 in the 6-under girls.
In the 9-10 boys, hometown bet Ralph Rian Batican submitted the day’s best score as he fired a 4-under par 68 for an eight-shot advantage over Davao leg winner Jared Saban, who had a 76.
Brianna Macasaet shot an 81 to lead Rafella Adrianne Batican (86) in the 7-8 girls, while Gunnat Velez’s 97 leads the 7-8 boys, Brittany Tamayo is up by 13 strokes with a three-under 69 in the 9-10 girls, and Jacob Gomez had an 88 to lead the 11-12 boys in the tournament backed by John Gaisano, Gaisano Malls, Islandwide Distribution Corp. and Pueblo Golf.
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