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Friday, March 29, 2024

Saso leads PH team

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YUKA Saso chases the one crown that got away last year as the Fil-Japanese leads a 43-strong Philippine contingent starting its campaign in the IMG Academy Junior World golf championships in 10 different courses around San Diego, California on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Saso, now among Asia’s top female junior players, returns to the 15-18 years division competition  at Torrey Pines North as one of the favorites a year after she blew a four-stroke lead in the final round and settled for third place.

The 16-year-old Saso spearheads a solid PH challenge in the centerpiece age bracket that also counts the multi-titled Bernice Ilas and boys bets Luis Miguel Castro and Ryan Abdon who showed has shown a lot of promise in several pro stints.

“That loss is behind me now. It’s good that I have another chance and hopefully I’ll do better this time,” said Saso, who, after the heartbreak in San Diego, went on to post significant feats including a semifinal stint in the US Women’s Amateur and leading the country to a sweep of the individual and team events at the World Junior Girls Championship.

Also tipped to contend carrying the colors of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines and its main sponsor Philippine Airlines as official carrier are Sophia Blanco and Annyka Cayabyab in the girls 13-14 years, Eagle Ace Superal in the girls 11-12 years, and Precious Zaragosa in the girls 6 years and under.

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Samantha Dizon, competing here for the first time, will try to carry the momentum of a big victory he scored in the 36-hole Future Champions of Golf International championship days before celebrating her 13th birthday.

“I’m honored to win the FCG. I worked hard to get to where I am now but I never thought I would be able to call myself a world champion. For the IMG Junior World, I am not expecting a lot since I just turned 13,” Dizon said.

JGFP president Bobbet Bruce said that the contingent hopes to perform well in at least three age-groups of the girls division and is hoping that the preparations they made back home would help the boys campaigners achieve their goals. 

The delegation:

15-18 Years Division (Torrey Pines South/North)

Boys: Carlo Antonio Gatmaytan, Ryan Monsalve, Carl Jano Corpus, Luis Miguel Castro

Girls: Nicole Gabrielle Abelar, Francesca Bernice Ilas, Mikhaela Denise Fortuna, Mariel Isabela Tee, Yuka Saso 

13-14 Years (La Costa Resort/The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo)

Boys: Jed Dy, Perry Josef Bucay, Josh Jorge 

Girls: Sophia Ysabel Blanco, Annyka Chanel Cayabyab, Samantha Marie Albert Dizon, Faustina Laurea Duque, Laia Simone Barro 

11-12 Years (Morgan Run/Bernardo Heights CC)

Boys: Sean Dominique Granada, Santino Diokno, Miguel Armando Ilas IV, Kirk Richard dela Torre 

Girls: Eagle Ace Superal, Burberry Zhang, Alysa Danne Aurelio, Buena Sabrina Macatangay, Kiara Therese Montebon 

9-10 Years (Carlton Oaks/Sycuan Oak Glen)

Boys: Vince Jacob Tiamsic, Miko Granada, Santino Alfonso Pineda, Jaime Lorenzo Alabastro, Sebastian Arenas, Rafael Armando Ilas V 

Girls: Rianne Mikhaela Malixi, Alexi Ysabel Blanco, Alethea Paige Gaccion, Isidore Bianca Buena Macatangay

7-8 Years (Sycuan Oak Glen/Pine Glen)

Boys: Luis Anton Ballesteros, Rocco Manolo Pineda 

Girls: Venice Kirsten Tiamsic, Celine Abalos 

6 Years & Under (Colina Park)

Boys: Andres Dancel 

Girls: Precious Elizabeth Zaragosa, Camilla Ysabel Arbatin

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