GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – A mix of tight and commanding finishes defined the start of the 2025 ICTSI Eagle Ridge Junior PGT Championship as young golfers braved sweltering heat and punishing conditions to stake early claims at the Norman course of Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.
But it was the boys’ 15-18 division that delivered the day’s drama as Charles Serdenia and Shinichi Suzuki – both bound for the Junior World Championships – carded identical 76s to pace the 54-hole tournament, finishing five strokes ahead of Enzo Cham.
Serdenia, fresh off a win at a special Junior World Qualifier in Splendido Taal, surged with a 37 at the front nine but stumbled to three bogeys in the final six holes, finishing at four-over, enabling Suzuki, who secured his San Diego berth earlier at The Country Club, who turned in a steady 38s on both nines to draw level atop the leaderboard.
Despite sharing the lead, Suzuki, also 16, admitted he wasn’t satisfied with his round.
Wasting no time, Suzuki headed straight to the range and practice green for a quick session, determined to gain control of the tournament. This event also serves as a crucial warm-up for his upcoming Royal Junior campaign in Japan next week.
As temperatures soared and the sun bore down relentlessly, the field struggled to cope with dry fairways and fast, bouncy greens. Cham wavered with an 81, Alonso Espartero fumbled with an 82, while Rafael Mañaol and Zach Villaroman posted identical 83s.
In the 36-hole boys’ 7-10 bracket, Halo Pangilinan toughed it out in the blazing heat to card an 85, edging ahead of Isonn Angheng and Zach Guico, who matched 87s, by two shots.
Zoji Edoc sputtered with a 90 and will need a strong comeback in the last round to climb back in contention in the opening leg of the 15-stage nationwide series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Meanwhile, Anvaya Cove’s Mavis Espedido impressed in the girls’ 7-10 division, firing a 76 under testing conditions to seize a four-shot lead over Venus delos Santos, who shot an 80.
Sanctioned this year by the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the tournament offered more than just medals – every swing was a step toward global ranking points, and every hole a gritty battle against summer’s searing wrath.
Three players stood out with commanding leads. Ryuji Suzuki posted a two-over 74 to lead Chan Ahn by three in the boys’ 11-14 category, bouncing back from a shaky 39 start with two birdies to finish strong.
“Jesus Christ motivated me to push through,” said Ryuji Suzuki, 11 from Manila Southwoods. “The greens are not easy – they’re fast and my second shots would roll off. I had to save myself with up-and-downs.”
Ahn, who opened with a 36 but faded with a closing 41 for a 77, vowed to fight back. Others like Jacob Casuga (79), Race Manhit (80), and Inigo Gallardo and Lujo Gomez, who shot identical 81s, will need near-perfect rounds to catch up.
In the girls’ 11-14 side, Lisa Sarines delivered another brilliant performance with a 74, carving out a seven-shot cushion over Kendra Garingalao and twin sister Mona Sarines.
“I was bogey-free until hole 15,” said Lisa, who dropped strokes late but still had more than enough to lead. “The fairways were dry and the greens fast – it wasn’t easy at all.”
Rafa Anciano set the pace in the girls’ 15-18 category despite a birdie-less 83, pulling ahead of Tiffany Bernardino (87) and Levonne Talion (88).
Despite a triple-bogey on No. 3, Anciano said her recent form and familiarity with the course helped her adapt.
“The greens are super hard, and they roll a lot. But I managed and went straight to the range afterward to tighten my game,” she said.
