Manotoc, Zaragosa storm ahead by 4

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa and Gabriel Manotoc turned in a pair of even par 72s to open a four-stroke lead over two others in the first round of the NGAP’s Philippine Junior Amateur Closed Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Sherwood Hills in Trece Martirez, Cavite yesterday.

Zaragosa hit three birdies against a double-bogey but bogeyed the final hole to drop into a tie with Manotoc, who made four birdies against the same number of bogeys for the pair of 72s.

AR Ramos and Jelbert Gamolo, a find from Bukidnon, carded similar 76s even while Justin Quiban and Ryu Yasuma shot a pair of 78s to be six off the pace in the event backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot, Nike, Pacsports and Microtel Eagle Ridge.

In the girls’ centerpiece division for 17-under bets, Daniela Uy, Pauleen Del Rosario and Chanelle Avaricio carved out identical 74s to post a one-shot lead over three others.

Basti Lorenzo never recovered from a quadruple bogey on No. 1 and made a triple bogey on the short par 5 No. 15, finishing with an 81, nine strokes behind the joint leaders.