In-form Nicole Gaisano Gan shot a career-best, four-under-par 68 to pace the girls’ Class C division at the start of the Asian Junior Masters at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand on Friday.
Four days after turning 13 years old, the Immaculate Conception Academy star sank five birdies, including a string of four from the third hole to open a one-shot lead over Chinese Ningyao Yu who carded a 69.
Precious Zaragosa, the only other Filipina in Class C, turned in a 75 for a share of fifth place.
Hernandez, Suzuki break par
Two other Filipinos turned in sub-par rounds.
Emilio Gabriel Hernandez matched Gan’s 68 to sit in third spot in the boys’ Class C, one shot off the pace.
Shinichi Suzuki, competing in the boys’ Class B, recorded a 69 to take sixth spot.
In the girls’ Class A division, Reese Ng and Gabie Rosca opened with identical 72s to trail Chinese Shixin Kang by one shot.
Aerin Chan, daughter of PBA star Jeff Chan, also had a good start in girls’ Class D, shooting a 73 to take fourth spot while Lia Duque was running fifth in girls’ Class B after a 75.
How Pinoys fared
Filipino results after the first day:
Class A (boys) – Edison Tabalin 76, joint 8th; Miko Granada 78, joint 13th;
Class A (girls) – Reese Ng 72, joint second; Gabie Rosca 72, joint second;
Class B (boys) – Shinichi Suzuki 69; sixth; Tristan Jefferson Padilla 75, 21st;
Class B (girls) – Lia Duque 75, fifth; Alessandra Luciano 83, joint 14th;
Class C (boys) – Emilio Gabriel Hernandez 68, third; David Teves 83, 14th;
Class C (girls) – Nicole Gaisano Gan 68, first; Precious Zaragosa 75, joint sixth;
Class D (boys) – Ryuji Suzuki 73, joint sixth; Race Phoenix Manhit 75, joint 11th;
Class D (girls) – Aerin Chan 73, fourth; Alexandra Mauricio 82, joint 8th;
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