Paolo Wong, Junia Gabasa pace Philippine Junior Amateur

MANILA, Philippines — Paolo Wong bucked tough conditions and saved a 72 while Junia Gabasa scrambled for a 74 as they wrested control in their respective divisions at the start of the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite yesterday.

Wong gunned down two birdies against a bogey at the front but bogeyed the par-3 16th to settle for a 35-37 card and a one-stroke lead over Paolo Barro, who matched Wong’s frontside card but wavered with back-to-back bogeys from No. 12 for a 73.

Carl Corpus rebounded strong from a disastrous 41 start with a fiery 35 to save a 76, four shots off the pace in the 72-hole stroke play tournament serving as the third leg of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour and organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

The rest of the bidders in the centerpiece Albatross division (15-18) also struggled in hot, windy conditions with Sean Ramos limping with a 77 and pre-tournament favorites Aidric Chan and Josh Jorge hobbling with 78 and 81, respectively.

Gabasa, on the other hand, launched her drive for a follow-up to her victory in WExpress RVF Cup in Canlubang, coming through with two birdies against the same number of bogeys and a double-bogey, her 37-37 card proving enough to drive her past Maria Tee in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific.