Rodriguez pockets Trans America Junior Golf crown

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez strung up back-to-back 73s to post a two-stroke victory over Elena Warren of the US in the Trans America Junior Golf Championships at the Jimmy Clay Golf Course in Austin, Texas recently.

Rodriguez, 17, fired three birdies against four bogeys in the final round for a 38-35 card under windy condition, finishing two shots ahead of Warren with a 36-hole total of 146 to rule the 15-18 age category.

The ICTSI-backed bet, who last won in the Univ. of Florida Challenge last December but had one runner-up and two third place finishes in the FCWT circuit, made a sizzling start in the first round, birdying three of the first five holes but she lost her touch at the back and made four bogeys to settle for a 33-40 round.

Warren had two 74s for a 148 while Chaslyn Chrismer rallied with a 73 to finish third with a 151.

Over in Indonesia, ICTSI’s Jobim Carlos fired a one-under par 71 to erect a whopping seven-shot lead over a faltering Peter Gumila of Indonesia after three rounds of play in the Medco Jakarta Junior Open at the Jagorawi Golf Club Friday.

Carlos, who trailed Gumila by four strokes in the first round but grabbed the lead by matching par 72 halfway through, pooled a 217 as he braced for a successful campaign in the 72-hole tournament.

Gumila opened with a 70 but faltered with 76 and 78, dropping to second with a 224 while Nura, also of Indonesia, carded a 74 to move up to third with a 225.

The ICTSI-RP squad also showed the way in team competition, assembling a 469 for a nine-stroke lead over Jagorawi 1, which had a 478, while Jagorawi 2 pooled a 484.