Sarines, Tan rule JPGT Pradera golf tilt

LUBAO, Pampanga – Lisa Sarines triumphed in the girls’ 11-14 category of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series 2, scoring a wire-to-wire victory with a 72, while Geoffrey Tan dominated the boys’ side at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club here Thursday.

Sarines, who finished third in the JPGT’s kickoff leg at Splendido Taal, secured her first series win by holding onto her overnight four-stroke lead over Levonne Talion, despite a shaky front nine stint that featured three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey.

Her even-par card in the final round brought her to a 54-hole total of 223, five strokes clear of twin sister Mona.

Talion, who seized solo second with a 76 Wednesday, fell five strokes behind with a frontside 37. Despite a birdie on the 12th, she missed opportunities to close the gap, bogeying two of the last five holes for a 74 for a 229, enabling Mona Sarines, who also matched par 72, to snatch runner-up honors at 228.

Series I champion Precious Zaragosa struggled to an 82 and ended up fourth with 248.

“There was pressure because Mona started making more birdies than me, and I knew she could catch up if I made a mistake on any hole. I was aware she could easily take advantage,” said Lisa, 12. Despite this, she relied on her mother’s advice “to just manage the pressure.”

“I was able to handle it (pressure) in the end,” added Lisa, who acknowledged the need to improve her long game, putting and course management. “This win means a lot to me, and I’m happy that I won.”

Tan, meanwhile, marked his JPGT debut with a resounding 19-stroke victory over first leg winner Vito Sarines with a closing 70. He took a commanding 12-stroke lead after 18 holes following an impressive two-under 70 and stretched it to 18 with a 73 in the second round.

Despite some struggles, including dropping two strokes on the fifth hole and bogeying the next, Tan’s closing two-under card secured a total of 213, well ahead of the 19-player field, setting a record early in the series.

Vito Sarines finished way back at 232 after a 71, while Zianbeau Edoc placed third at 237 after a 76.

“I didn’t expect to dominate because I knew I had tough competitors,” said the 14-year-old Tan,