Zaragosa opens 5-shot PH Junior Am lead

TRECE Martirez, Cavite—Rupert Zaragosa overcame humid conditions and difficult pin placements with a one-over-par 73 yesterday to pull away by five shots heading into the final round of the Philippine Junior Amateur Closed championship.

The pint-sized Canlubang mainstay gunned down a birdie against two bogeys for a 211 tally and a comfortable lead over AR Ramos in today’s last 18 holes of the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Sherwood Hills here.

Ramos actually matched Zaragosa’s 73  in the centerpiece 17-under division  as Gabriel Manotoc struggled to a 79 and faded from the title picture with a 228 aggregate in the event that is part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour and backed by Pancake House, Nike, Golf Depot, Pacsports and Microtel Eagle Ridge.

Justin Quiban moved up to third spot at 225 after a 75 even as Princess Superal put the girls’ 17-under diadem in the bag after breaking par for the second straight round with a 69 and a 211 total that gave her a 12-shot lead over Daniela Uy.

Uy fired a 76 for 223, and Pauleen Del Rosario was another shot adrift after another 76.

Superal opened and closed her round with a birdie in a 35-34 card that was marred by a double bogey 6 on the fifth hole. Uy, meanwhile, couldn’t sustain a hot start, dropping six shots in her last six holes, including a double bogey 7 on No. 15.

Meanwhile, Regan De Guzman, taking pain relievers for a sore back, fired a 67 and broke away from an erstwhile tie with Cyna Rodriguez for a four-shot lead in the special 17-21 bracket for girls.

De Guzman, who will play for the Philippines in the Putra Cup later this month, scorched the back nine with three birdies and an eagle 3 on the 15th. Rodriguez, a former Philippine Ladies’ champion, shot a 71.