Ryuji Suzuki in action during the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Junior PGT Championship. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
GEN. TRIAS, Cavite–Junior World Championship-bound Charles Serdenia and Shinichi Suzuki fired contrasting four-over-par 76s on Tuesday to tie for the centerpiece boys’ 15-18 lead in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Junior PGT Championship at the Norman course of Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.
Serdenia sputtered at the finish with three bogeys in his last six holes, while Suzuki was steady with two 38s as the duo took a five-shot lead over Enzo Cham in the first of the 15-leg circuit that will culminate with the North vs South match-up in October.
“My round was okay, but my putting was really off,” Serdenia said as the heat took its toll on most in the field. “The course was super difficult and it was extremely hot – we had to rehydrate every three holes.
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“Just trust yourself and say a prayer before every shot,” he added when asked how he was handling the challenges.
Despite sharing the lead, Suzuki, also 16, admitted he wasn’t satisfied with his round.
“The greens were quite firm and tough to hold, so it took me a while to adjust to the conditions,” he said. “I struggled hitting greens in regulation and missed several up-and-down chances and birdie opportunities.”
This event also serves as a crucial warm-up for Suzuki’s upcoming Royal Junior campaign in Japan next week.
In the 36-hole boys’ 7-10 bracket, Halo Pangilinan fired an 85, edging ahead of Isonn Angheng and Zach Guico, who matched 87s.
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Zoji Edoc sputtered with a 90 and will need a strong comeback in the last round to climb back in contention.
Meanwhile, Anvaya Cove’s Mavis Espedido impressed in the girls’ 7-10 division, firing a 76 to seize a four-shot lead over Venus delos Santos.
Sanctioned this year by the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the tournament offers more than just medals.
Meanwhile, Ryuji Suzuki posted a 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, an 11-year-old, who like older brother Shinichi, plays out of 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.
Caption: Ryuji Suzuki finishes with two back nine birdies to take command in 11-14 division.
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