Zaragosa leads, three other RP bets in the mix

SAN Diego, California – Rupert Zaragosa kept his steady form to shoot a two-under 71 and seize the lead in the boys 11-12 years even as Princess Superal and three others Filipino remained in contention after the penultimate round of their respective divisions in the 2010 Callaway Junior World golf championships in various venues here on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Zaragosa, one of the smallest players in the field, stood tall with another solid round spiked by four birdies that followed his opening effort of 70 at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. His 141 aggregate put him a stroke ahead of Sahith Theegala of California who matched par 72 for 142.

Zaragosa will try to deliver a victory for Team Philippines in the final round on Thursday along with Superal and Jed Dy who stayed just a stroke behind the leaders in their age-groups.

Superal, the reigning Asia-Pacific champion, bounced back with a 71 for 145 and a tie with Thailand’s Chavanid for second place in the girls 13-14 years one behind Eimi Koga of Hawaii (74-144).

Dy, one of the brightest RP team’s brightest hopes, carded a two-over 56 to hound Jason Xie of Canada (56-115).

Missy Legaspi was tied for second in the girls 7-8 after a 60-121 but was four behind Natasha Oon of Malaysia while Arnie Taguines (67-130) was only three down in the girls 6 years and under.

“We’re right on track, I’m quite confident the kids would be able to handle the pressure tomorrow,” said Luigi Tabuena, head of the 51-strong Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines delegation whose stint here is supported by ICTSI and Philippine Airlines.

The country’s bets in the 15-17 years, however, are facing intense pressure amid a solid competition.

Miguel Tabuena was the best placed Filipino in the boys 15-17 years after a respectable 73-147 but fell nine shots behind Jorge Valdes of Argentina in a tie for 13th place. Jobim Carlos made a big jump to a share of 19th spot when he carded a 71-148 while Marcel Puyat assembled a 76 in the afternoon and slipped to joint 27th at 149.