Fortuna storms ahead; Hoey joint leader

SAN DIEGO –The Philippines’ Mikhaella Fortuna stormed to a two-shot lead in the girls’ 11-12 group, Fil-Am Rico Hoey bucked erratic driving for a share of the lead in the boys’ 15-17 class and a host of other Filipinos came through with solid rounds at the start of the 2013 Junior World Golf Championships here Tuesday.

Defending the crown he bagged on a final-day charge last year, Hoey leaned on a superb short game in Torrey Pines South to shoot a four-under-par 68 and share the lead with Costa Rican Jose Mendez and Mexican Roberto Lebrija.

Despite hitting just two fairways of the gem of a layout by the sea, the 17-year-old Rancho Cucamonga-based Fil-Am hotshot assembled nines of 34-34, spiked by seven birdies against three bogeys, for a one-shot lead over Americans Austen Truslow, Corey Shaun and Rylee Reinertson, Australian Lucas Herbert and South African David Meyers.

“The course was ‘score-able’ today because the roughs are not that tall yet,” said Carito Villaroman, a three-time world jungolf champ and now director of the Philippine Junior Golf Foundation.

“But as the rounds go, so will the length of the roughs. And definitely, that will punish errant drives,” Villaroman added.

Reigning Phl amateur champion Rupert Zaragoza was the next Filipino best scorer in the premier category with a one-over 73 for joint 29th while Gabriel Manotoc and Raymart Tolentino both submitted a 77.

Fortuna of Team ICTSI frolicked over at Rancho Bernardo Inn, firing a three-under 70 to lead by two over two Japanese rivals.

Another Filipina Sofia Chabon and Katherine Muzi of Walnut California matched par, and the rest of the 87 entries in the category turned in above-par rounds over the long, difficult course featuring five par-5s.

Samathan Marie Bruce and Francesca Bernice Olivares-Ilas, winner of the girls’ 9-10 class last year, were not far behind, though at 75 and 76, respectively.

Pauline de Rosario and Ryan Monsalve were at second in their respective divisions while Lou Daniella Uy and Princess Superal were within striking distance of the frontrunners in the girls’ 15-17 group.

Uy carded an even 72 and Superal shot a 73 at the north course of the famed La Jolla golf resort situated atop cliffs towering above the Pacific Ocean. Eight young ladies broke par, led by Amy Matsuoka with a 69.

Monsalve tallied a three-under 68 and trailed Galven Kendall Green by one in the boys’ 13-14 at Morgan Run Resort.

Del Rosario, with a 68 on a shaky finish, was two down on Haley Moore in the girls’ 13-14 competition at Rancho Bernardo Country Club.

The Filipina bet should have been also a first-round leader if not for three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from No. 9.  

Burberry Sunshine Zhang logged a 61 for joint fourth in the girls’ 7-8 class at Sycuan Resort Pine Glen.

Jed Dy, who topped the boys’ 7-8 division for one of three Philippine titles last year, returned a level 62 at Welk Resort San Diego Fountains Executive Course and trailed the United States’ Liam Shinn by six.