Junia Gabasa. CDN file
Cebu City, Philippines — Younger class campaigner Rianne Malixi grabbed the overall crown as she nipped Cebu’s golfing pride Junia Gabasa in the girls’ side of the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Malixi, competing in the 12-14 age bracket, earned the overall crown with a 302 after a 78, beating Gabasa, who pooled a 303 after a 74, in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Gabasa actually saved her best for last, sizzling with a frontside 34 for a 74 to rally from third as erstwhile leader Kayla Nocum fumbled with a 42 and ended up with an 82 and Korean Kang Da Yun struggled with a 40 and a 77.
Gabasa, who ruled the WExpress RVF Cup in Canlubang last January, did not go home empty-handed as she settled for the Albatross title with Kang finishing second with a 304 and Maria Tee, who shot a 79, tied Nocum at third at 308 in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific.
Next up for the amateur circuit is the the MVPSF Visayas Regional Golf Championship on April 8-12 at Cebu Country Club. /bmjo