Legaspi, Dy pull off US Kids World golf double

Mia Legaspi became only the third player to score five consecutive victories by topping the girls’ 12 years division and Jed
Dy completed a double victory for the Philippines with an emphatic win in the boys’ 7 years category of the US Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Legaspi capped a glorious run in the annual event with successive under-par rounds of 70, 71 and 71 for a 212 aggregate and a three-shot victory over American Kayley Marschke, who did 70-73-72-215 at the par-72 Pinehurst No. 3.

The seventh grader at St. Paul College Pasig, emulated the five-peat scored by compatriot Dottie Ardina, who won from 2002 to 2006 and Mexican Marijosse Navarro (2005-2009).

Dy shared the limelight when he delivered a second victory for the small team carrying the colors of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines and national flag-carrier Philippine Airlines.

Dy’s 9-hole rounds of 34, 33 and 34 gave him a three-day total of 101 at the Mid Pines course of the sprawling Pinehurst complex.

He captured his first international crown with a four-shot victory over Jeevan Sihota of Canada (33-37-35-105).

“This is another big day for Philippine junior golf,” said JGFP president Luigi Tabuena and chair Gerry Handog. “We congratulate Mia and Jed as well as their respective families for a job well done.”

Sam Bruce placed third in the girls’ 10 years division with her scores of 72,70 and 69. She finished seven strokes behind Anina Ku of the US.

Mia’s younger sister Missy shared ninth place in the girls’ 9 years age-group with a 112 aggregate while Philippe Winsett-Palanca, posting a 225 total, tied for 13th in the boys’ 10 years bracket.

Only last week, Legaspi notched a third consecutive title in the Optimist International championships at the PGA National Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida by ruling the girls’ 10-12 years.