Kamilla Edrianna Del Mundo
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Kamilla Del Mundo moved within 18 holes of ending the Philippines’ seven-year title drought in the Junior World Golf Championships, overcoming a roller-coaster round with a clutch back-nine finish to seize the lead in the girls’ 9-10 division Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) in San Diego, California.
The 10-year-old Filipina fired a two-under 70 at the Singing Hills Golf Resort’s Oak Glen course for a 36-hole total of 138, edging Japan’s Miyu Tsunesumi by one stroke and putting herself in prime position to become the country’s first Junior World champion since Aidric Chan captured the boys’ 15-18 crown in 2019.
The Philippines also remained in contention for another title as Zach Guico stayed within striking distance in the boys’ 11-12 category.
The multi-titled Junior PGT standout carded a 61 at Torrey Pines South to slip to solo third at 120, just two shots behind co-leaders Poyraz Kocagozoglu of the United Arab Emirates (118) and American Bode Berry (118), setting up a wide-open final-round showdown.
One stroke behind overnight co-leaders Tsunesumi and fellow Filipina Mavis Espedido after opening with a 68, Del Mundo raced to two-under through four holes before stumbling with a bogey-birdie-bogey-bogey stretch on the front nine.
But the young Filipina showed poise beyond her years, birdieing the 11th before grinding out five straight pars.
She capped her round with another birdie on No.
17 for a 36-34 card that vaulted her to the top of the leaderboard.
Tsunesumi stayed in front after making the turn in even-par 36 but faltered with three bogeys over her next six holes.
She responded with birdies on two of her final three holes to salvage a 72 and remain just one shot behind at 139.
Espedido, meanwhile, failed to sustain the momentum of her opening-round 67, struggling to a 77 that dropped her into a tie for sixth at 144, six strokes behind Del Mundo.
Del Mundo, however, has proven she can thrive under pressure.
The rising Filipina has collected titles in Future Champions Golf (FCG) events and the US Kids Thailand circuit, experience she hopes will serve her well as she bids to deliver the country’s first Junior World championship in seven years.
She will tee off in Thursday’s final round alongside Tsunesumi and two other contenders in the 54-hole tournament.
Aside from Del Mundo and Guico, the rest of Team Philippines found the going tougher.
In the boys’ 15-18 division, Emilio Hernandez shot a 70 but remained tied for 23rd at 146, nine shots behind leader Frederick Egnatios of Arizona, who carded a 69 for 137.
Alessandra Luciano slipped to a tie for 58th in the girls’ 15-18 class after a 73 left her at 151, 16 strokes behind Singapore’s Aamiya Koul, who stood at 135 following a 69.
In the boys’ 13-14 category, Jared Saban rebounded from an opening 77 with a 71 but could only climb to a tie for 47th at 148, 11 shots behind Hawaii’s Robert Loree (137).
Lisa Sarines, whose campaign is supported by ICTSI, posted rounds of 72 and 73 for 145 to share 14th place in the girls’ 13-14 division, nine strokes behind Japan’s Kii Michiue (136).
Brie Macasaet slipped to 14th in the girls’ 11-12 category after following a first-round 70 with a 75 for 145, trailing leader Natsuki Takahashi of Japan by 14 shoTS.
Zoey Mascariñas, meanwhile, matched back-to-back rounds of 71 to fall to 19th at 142 in the girls’ 7-8 division, where Thailand’s Phannarin Srichaphan led at 117.
