SAN DIEGO – Miguel Tabuena and Edward Reyes grabbed a share of the lead in their respective divisions in the opening round of San Diego Junior Masters as Filipino jungolfers kicked off their final tuneup stint for next week’s Callaway Junior World competitions on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) here.
Ranged against much taller rivals, Tabuena canned a birdie on the 18th from the fringe for a four-under-par 68 at the Carlton Oaks course that put him a three-way tie for the top spot in the boys 13-14 years division.
Reyes carded a 71 to be in the company of Alan Jun of California and Japan’s Yuji Nakamura in the boys championship class (15-17 years).
Tabuena and Reyes will lead a 43-strong Philippine delegation in the Junior World meet in various courses here next week.
Former Philippine Ladies Open winner Debbie de Villa fell five shots behind in the girls championship after a 77 while Irina Gabasa, scoring a 74, also faced the same deficit in the girls 13-14.
Andres Saldana and Jobim Carlos shot a 75 and 76, respectively, in the championship class, Bino dela Paz and Keanu Jahns both had 74s and Maria Monsalve and Ann Sabater scored 79s in the 13-14 years age-group.