YUKA Saso went after the pins like the championship was on the line and went on to post a six-under-par 66 Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) that gave the Fil-Japanese a two-stroke lead in the girls’ 15-18 years division of the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego, California.
Her confidence boosted by impressive stints even in professional events recently, the 16-year-old Saso highlighted a fiery round at Torrey Pines North with an eagle on the par-5 17th, where she holed a putt from 30 feet as the national team standout stepped ahead of Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee, who shot a 68.
Mikha Fortuna, likewise, had an impressive start with a 71 for a share of 10th in the same division and so did Rianne Malixi and Eagle Ace Superal who barged into the Top 6 of their divisions.
Superal, seeking to win another title for family of Junior World champions, was among those tied for fifth in the girls’ 11-12 years play at Bernardo Heights Country Club, while Malixi started four shots behind in a six-way tie for sixth place despite a 74 at the Sycuan Oak-Glen.
Out to atone for a failed bid last year, where she led by four going to the final round but could only place third, Saso’s explosive start also saw her shoot birdies on Nos. 1, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11th holes. The only strokes she yielded were those of a three-putt bogey on the seventh and a 15th green on an errant tee-shot.
Together with the 76 of Bernice Ilas, the Philippines also took the lead in the team event with a 152.
“I really didn’t expect to shoot a low score, but I played quite aggressive today and aimed at the pins. Fortunately I holed a lot of putts today,” said Saso.
IMG ACADEMY JUNIOR WORLD PHILIPPINE SCOREBOARD
First round, Tuesday, July 11
15-18 Years Division (Torrey Pines South/North)
Boys: Luis Miguel Castro 73 (t16), Carlo Antonio Gatmaytan 74 (t24), Aidric Chan 75 (t39), Ryan Monsalve 76 (t54), Carl Jano Corpus 80 (t134)
Girls: Yuka Saso 66 (1), Mikhaela Denise Fortuna 71 (t10), Francesca Bernice Ilas 76 (t47), Kayla Nocum 77 (T60), Nicole Gabrielle Abelar 78 (t79), Mariel Isabela Tee 78 (t79)
13-14 Years (La Costa Resort/The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo)
Boys: Perry Josef Bucay 74 (t49), Josh Jorge 76 (t73), Jed Dy 79(t118)
Girls: Sophia Ysabel Blanco 75 (t38), Annyka Chanel Cayabyab 75 (t38), Laia Simone Barro 75 (t38), Faustina Laurea Duque 77 (t63), Sherilyn Villanueva 77 (t63), Samantha Marie Albert Dizon 79 (t82)
11-12 Years (Morgan Run/Bernardo Heights CC)
Boys: Sean Dominique Granada 72 (t29), Miguel Armando Ilas IV 73 (t35), Santino Diokno 75 (t54), Kirk Richard dela Torre 91 (t131)
Girls: Eagle Ace Superal 73 (T5), Burberry Zhang 84 (T65), Kiara Therese Montebon 86 (t72), Alysa Danne Aurelio 95 (T90), Buena Sabrina Macatangay 102 (93)
9-10 Years (Carlton Oaks/Sycuan Oak Glen)
Boys: Vince Jacob Tiamsic 75 (t55), Miko Granada 78 (t40), Santino Alfonso Pineda 85 (t87), Jaime Lorenzo Alabastro,Rafael Armando Ilas V 91, Sebastian Arenas 92
Girls: Rianne Mikhaela Malixi 74 (T6), Alexi Ysabel Blanco 84 (T42), Alethea Paige Gaccion 87 (T51), Isidore Bianca Buena Macatangay 87 (T51)
7-8 Years (Sycuan Oak Glen/Pine Glen)
Boys: Luis Anton Ballesteros 82 (T22), Rocco Manolo Pineda 89 (T42)
Girls: Venice Kirsten Tiamsic 72 (28), Celine Abalos 79 (T34)
6 Years & Under (Colina Park)
Boys: Andres Dancel 84 (22)
Girls: Precious Elizabeth Zaragosa 89 (T18), Camilla Ysabel Arbatin 89 (T18)
