Mendoza, Barnes Dominate JPGT South Pacific Golf Opener

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DAVAO CITY – Young talents stole the spotlight in the opening round of the ICTSI South Pacific Junior PGT Championship, but none shone brighter than 10-year-old prodigy Denise Mendoza.

The Cebuana turned a tight battle in the girls’ 7-10 division into a personal showcase, firing a blistering eight-under 64 highlighted by a six-birdie blitz on the back nine.

After trading three birdies with three bogeys on the front nine, Mendoza caught fire at the turn, rattling off birdies from Nos. 10 to 15 at the South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates.

A par on No. 16 briefly slowed her charge, but she finished strong with birdies on the final two holes for a stunning 28 at the back.

One of the round’s defining moments came on the par-3 15th, where a downhill putt struck the flagstick and dropped for birdie, adding a touch of luck to her clinical run.

“I was surprised – I really didn’t expect to score this low, especially on a course I’ve never played before,” said Mendoza, who credited her performance to her father Paolo’s advice: “Stay calm and stick to the basics.”

She also cited her sharp iron play: “Most of the time, my approach shots left me with easy birdie chances – usually within five feet.”

Mendoza now holds a commanding 23-stroke lead over Del Monte leg winner Soleil Molde, who shot an 87, while Francesca Geroy struggled with a 91.

“I’ll just play exactly the same way,” said the Cebu Learning Center standout, poised to clinch the 36-hole title.

On the boys’ side, Jamie Barnes remained on track for a rare three-peat after birdieing his final three holes to finish with a one-under 71.

The 9-year-old from Wellington Thailand now leads by eight shots over Davao’s Miguel Revilleza in the boys’ 7-10 category.

“I think I played really well, especially in the last three holes,” said Barnes, flashing a wide smile. “I also had a lot of fun out there.”

He admitted the greens were tricky: “Some are fast, some are really slow, and a lot of them have big slopes. But I still managed to get some birdies.”

Chasing his third straight title after wins at Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, Barnes hopes to shoot even-par or 2-under in the final round.

Revilleza carded a 79, while Cebu’s Kvan Alburo followed with an 80 after a rough finish.

Shaqeeq Tanog posted an 84, and James Rolida of Cagayan de Oro closed with a 90.

In the 11-14 division, South Cotabato’s Jared Saban moved closer to a breakthrough win after placing third at both Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro.

Saban shot a 74 on two birdies and four bogeys to take a three-stroke lead over Guio Pasquil.

Pasquil carded a 77 after a strong frontside 36, while Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro leg winner Ken Guillermo slipped with a 78 marred by two double bogeys.

In the girls’ 11-14 class, South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo surged ahead with a three-under 69, building a seven-shot cushion over Del Monte leg champion Kimberly Baroquillo, who shot 76.

Zuri Bagaloyos turned in a 78.

In the 15-18 boys’ division, contested over 54 holes, local bets AJ Wacan and Adrian Bisera posted rounds of 72 and 75, respectively, to lead the pack.

Korean Eric Jeon stayed in the hunt with a 76, while CDO’s Armand Copok recovered from a 41 on the front nine with a 36 on the back to post a 77.

In the girls’ 15-18 category, Davao’s Merry Rosa Wacan birdied No. 7 to salvage a 77 and catch Del Monte’s Crista Miñoza, who bogeyed No. 8 for a 77 of her own.

They now share the lead heading into the final two rounds.

Del Monte leg winner Zero Plete faded with a 46 on the back nine and closed with an 86, while Mikela Guillermo struggled with an 88.