In the sweltering heat of Sherwood Hills, new talents emerged as Race Manhit and Georgina Handog dominated their categories at the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship in Cavite.
Manhit, returning after a break, took the lead in the boys’ 11-14 division with a score of 71. He outperformed Summit Point champion Vito Sarines, who finished with a 75.
Jose Luis Espinosa followed with a 76, while previous winners Javie Bautista and Chan Ahn scored 77 and 79, respectively.
"Overall, I’m really happy with how I played. I prepared a lot for this and stayed confident with every shot," said Manhit.
He credited a recent equipment change for his improved performance, enabling him to hit straighter shots.
In the girls’ 11-14 category, Handog showcased her talent with a round of 73, which included three birdies and four bogeys, putting her four shots ahead of second-placed Aerin Chan.
Chan achieved an eagle on the par-4 No. 10 but finished with a score of 77. Cailey Gonzales, another contender, struggled with a score of 78.
"I played really well today. I made a lot of birdies and my putts were just dropping," Handog stated.
She also noted that her preparation, which included two practice rounds, contributed to her success.
However, the boys’ 7-10 division faced controversy as Asher Abad was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.
This opened the door for Zach Guico, who took the lead with a score of 70.
As the competition nears its conclusion, both Manhit and Handog are poised for potential victories, highlighting the rising talent in this year’s junior circuit.
In the girls’ 7-10 division, Winter Serapio outperformed Andrea Dee, establishing a nine-shot lead with a score of 71.
Dee struggled from the start, finishing with an 80.
The JPGT Visayas-Mindanao Series is set to continue at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, featuring last week’s winners and exciting matchups.
Ethan Lago aims for his fourth consecutive win in the boys’ 7-10 category, while Soleil Molde seeks to build on her recent success.
In the older divisions, intense competition is expected as players like Alexis Nailga and Zero Plete vie for top honors.
Padilla, proving his previous win was no fluke, leads the boys’ 15-18 category with a score of 71.
Shinichi Suzuki, a previous champion, is three shots behind after carding a 74.
In the girls’ 15-18 class, Lisa Sarines is in a strong position for another win with a score of 74.