Constantino, Wong PH Jr Am favorites

Paolo Wong and Harmie Constantino banner the Philippine Junior Amateur Golf Championship firing off Tuesday at Sherwood Hills in Trece Martires in Cavite.

Wong sets out as the boys’ favorite while Constantino, a former national champion, is fancied in the girls’ side of the event that has a sprinkling of foreign flavor with the participation of South Koreans.

Paolo Barro, Luis Castro, Carl Corpuz, David Guangko, Weiyu Gao, Miguel Ilas, Pierre Ticzon and Joaquin Velez are the other notable entries in the boys’ division.

Jang Yun Ji, Kang Da Yeon, Kim Seo Young and Baek So Wom of Korea aim to spoil the locals’ title drives in the four-day championship, part of the National Amateur Golf Tour.

The top 40 players after 36 holes (boys) will advance to the final two rounds while the top 20 in the girls’ division will qualify for the last two rounds.

Spicing up the event, organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines, are Special Divisions (18-year-and-above) to be played over four rounds and 12-years-and-below set over 54 holes.

Others vying in the boys’ division are Cedric Aunzo, Perry Bucay, Santino Diokno, Joaquin Gomez, Liam Harvey, Miguel Ilas, Riggs Illescas, Francis Lanuza, Juan Laurel, James Luguban, Jermaine Melosantos, Masaichi Otake, Sean Ramos, Kristoff Soliven, siblings Delfin and Bernard Trinos and Japanese Gettykane Nakamura.