Duque, Kobayashi break through at JPGT Luisita

Lia Duque: First win. — CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Lia Duque and Mark Kobayashi crept closer to bagging slots in the National Match Play finals after completing romps in their respective 16-18 divisions of the ICTSI Junior PGT (JPGT) Luzon Series 5 Friday at Luisita Golf Club in Tarlac.

Playing out of Manila Southwoods, Duque closed out with a seven-over-par 79 as the demanding course conditions at the Robert Trent Jones Jr. creation were made harder because of the sweltering heat.

Counting rounds of 77, 85 and 83, Duque prevailed by an astounding 36 shots over Chloe Rada, who shot an 89, for her first victory in the series.

“This win means a lot to me because in the recent JPGT events, I haven’t been performing as well as I wanted,” said Duque, who finished second at Splendido Taal and third at Pradera Verde before heading to the United States to further refine her game.

Kobayashi also cruised to victory in the boys’ side after shooting an 82 to win by six shots over Zachary Villaroman with a 306 total.

Villaroman carded an 80, while Francis Slavin rallied to finish third with a 329 after an 84.

It was also the first victory in the series for Kobayashi, who had three consecutive third place finishes at Pradera Verde, Pinewoods and Riviera.

Two more Luzon legs will be played before the finals.