Abdon ties Alejandro for lead

Jik Jik Abdon birdied three of the first four holes to fire a two-under-par 70 and gain a share of the boys Class A lead with Miko Alejandro after the second round of the Callaway Junior World qualifying tournament of the Samsung Jungolf Tour yesterday.

Abdon turned in nines of 34-36 on four birdies and two bogeys as he forged a tie with Alejandro at 145, one-over par for 36 holes at the windswept Sherwood Hills Golf Club course in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Alejandro needed a birdie on the 18th to remain on top, finishing with a 73 in this event backed by Samsung, PAL and Callaway.

Mico Yee also carded a 73 and stood two strokes adrift at 147.

Yee’s younger brother Miggy, meanwhile, tied JR Gonzales for the top spot in boys Class D. Yee shot 72 to join Gonzales, the former world champion who soared to a 79, at 148, four shots ahead of AR Ramos (76-152).

Siblings Rachita and Shailesh Vasandani threatened to run away with the titles in girls Class E and boys Class F divisions, respectively. Rachita led Mia Legaspi by eight while Shailesh posted a 14-shot lead over Ryan Monsalve.

The other sponsors of the tourney staged by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines in coordination with the Federation of Golf Clubs in the Philippines are Titlist, Mizuno, La Jolla, Taylor Made, Wilson, Ping, Auto Magic, Unilever, MMCI Air Liquid, Inquirer Golf and Michael Guy.

Princess Superal (Class D) and Rachita Vasandani (Class E) remained at helm in their respective age-groups while Rupert Saragoza showed the way in boys Class E.