Asher Abad and Race Manhit emerged as frontrunners in the opening round of the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship held in Cavite. Despite the sweltering heat and a challenging course, both players delivered impressive performances.
Abad, who previously secured third place in the first two legs of the Luzon series, finally found his rhythm. He finished with a four-under 68, gaining a two-shot lead over Zach Guico in the boys’ 7-10 division.
Other competitors struggled under the conditions, with Zoji Edoc managing a 76 and Kenzo Tan finishing with a 77. Abad credited his success to extra practice and honing his short game.
My game felt really solid today. I had a couple of chip-ins and made some long putts for birdies.
Asher Abad
In the boys’ 11-14 division, Manhit made his mark after returning from a two-leg absence. He shot a 71, leading Vito Sarines, who posted a 75. Manhit expressed satisfaction with his performance, attributing it to recent equipment changes.
Switching clubs helped me hit it straighter and control my distances better.
Race Manhit
With only 18 holes left, Abad and Manhit are poised for potential victories, echoing the growing competitiveness in this year's junior circuit.
Meanwhile, the JPGT Visayas-Mindanao Series is set to continue, with Davao's Ethan Lago aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the boys' 7-10 division.
In the girls' category, Soleil Molde seeks to build on her recent triumph, facing strong contenders like Vanya Go.
The competition remains fierce across all divisions, with players like Alexis Nailga and Zero Plete vying for top spots.
At Sherwood, Tristan Padilla showcased his skill, shooting a 71 and leading the boys' 15-18 category, despite a couple of late bogeys.
In the girls' 7-10 division, Winter Serapio opened a commanding lead with a 71, leaving her rival Andrea Dee trailing significantly.
As the tournament progresses, players are not only testing their skills but also their mental resilience in pursuit of victory.