Martirez takes charge in China Jr golf

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Martirez bucked a triple-bogey mishap on No. 14 as she wrested a three-shot lead over Japanese Tsujiuka Airi despite a two-over 74 at the start of the HSBC China Junior Open at the Zhuhai Gulf Golf Course in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China yesterday.

Martirez flashed top form in the early going, birdying Nos. 4 and 6 from eight feet but lost her touch when the going got tough at the windy par-72 layout. She dropped strokes on Nos. 9 and 10 on missed green bogeys then found the hazard on No. 14 and missed the green for that 7.

Still it proved enough to shove her on top in the premier 15-17 age bracket as Airi fared worse with a 77 and another Japanese, Sawada Chika stumbled with a 79.

Yuka Saso, also of Team ICTSI-Phl, turned in a three-over 75 and trailed Taiwanese C. Chen, who matched par 72, by three in Class B (13-14).

J. Zhang, also of China, stood just a shot adrift at 73 while Filina Sofia Chabon hobbled with a 77.

The 54-hole tournament serves as the first overseas competition for Team ICTSI-Phl which produced 38 victories at home and abroad last year with reigning US Girls Junior champion Princess Superal leading the charge with 12 victories.

Superal, 18, is currently in Australia to honor a prevoius commitment. She is set to hook up with her teammates next week.