Chan, Wong PH bright spots in Junior World

Aidric Chan and Luigi Paolo Wong of the Philippines stormed ahead in the team competition after solid rounds of 69 and 72, respectively, at the start of the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in various courses in San Diego, California.

Chan dropped five birdies at Torrey Pines South after teeing off with two bogeys on the first three holes while Wong had two birdies and the same number of bogeys across his card as they combined for a 141 for a three-shot lead over Argentina and Chinese Taipei.

The Philippines has yet to win the boys team competition in this annual event that attracted more than a thousand juniors from at least 54 countries.

Chan was running third in the boys’ 15-18 years individual as the best Filipino performer for the day while Wong was among those sharing 12th place.

Over at Colina Park, twins Lisa and Mona Sarines were in fifth and seventh place, respectively, in the girls 6 years and under but far behind the solo leader from Japan. Lisa Sarines had a 65 to be 11 shots off Miroku Suto while Mona was 14 behind after a 68. Their brother Vito scored a one-over 55 and was in solo seventh in the boys 6 under five behind Luca Almeida of Brazil.