MANILA, Philippines—A Thai and an Indian flashed fine form to surge ahead in their respective divisions even as AR Ramos and Mia Legaspi carried the fight for the Filipinos at the start Tuesday of the 29th Asia-Pacific junior golf championships presented by the Department of Tourism at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Thailand’s Thanyakorn Khrongpa carded an eagle-spiced six-under-par 66 for a four-shot lead over India’s Abhijit Chadha in boys’ Class A, where the local hopes struggled.

The Indians were more impressive in boys’ Class B, where S. Chikkarangppa fired a 67 to post a six-shot lead over compatriot Ashbeer Singh Saini. Another Indian, Basu Samrat, and Thai Songpaiboon Bhurinat were eight strokes off the pace on 75s.

Ramos, a former US Kids champ, provided the bright spot for the Philippines when he submitted a 73, three up on Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Hang-lin in boys Class C.

Legaspi, the girls’ 7-8 winner in the Junior World two years ago, led Thai Chanachi Sutavee by three with a 77 in girls Class C.

The 17-year-old Krongpa was flawless with birdies on the fourth, eighth, 10th and 12th holes, before capping his brilliant round on a rainy day with an eagle on the par-5 No. 15.

Krongpa’s heroics propelled Chinese-Taipei to a share of top spot with India in the four-to-play, three-to-count team competition at 216.

Chinese-Taipei was at third after a 219 built on the 71 of Tao Huang, Malaysia fourth with 223 and South Korea sixth on 225. The Philippines, pulled down by Kevin Orillos’ 80, was at 229. Guam and Hong Kong were at 216.

The girls’ Class A and B competitions fire off today with reigning Philippine Ladies champion Chihiro Ikeda spearheading the homegrown bid in team play.

The first round scores:

Class A Boys: 66—Khrongpa Thanyakorn (Thailand), 70—Abhijit Chadha (India), 71—Tao Huang (Chinese-Taipei), 72—Mohammad Arie Irawan Ahmad (Malaysia), 73 David Thompson (Guam), 74—John Kier Abon (RP), Chae Bum-geun (Kor), Chien Yao Hung (Chinese-Taipei), 75—Jobim Carlos (RP), Art Arbole (RP)

Class B Boys: 67—Chikkarangappa S (India), 73—Ashbeer Singh Saini (India), 75— Basu Samrat (India), Songpaiboon Bhurinat (Thailand), 74—Polle Chieh (Taiwan), 75—Gavin Kyle Green (Malaysia), Yim Sun-young (Korea)

Class C Boys: 73—AR Ramos (RP), 76—Chang Heng-lin (Chinese-Taipei), 79—Aristeo Mata (RP); Girls: 69—Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand), 70—Daniella Uy (RP), 74—Juilly Vasandani (RP)

Class D Boys: 72—Yusa Bai Piyachad (Tha), 75—Rupert Zaragosa, 77—Justin Dy (RP), Yash Majmudar; Girls: 77—Mia Legaspi, 80—Sutavee Chanachi (Tha), 83—Rachita Vasandani (RP)