Arevalo catches Thai at helm in S’pore jrs

MANILA, Philippines - Abegail Arevalo bucked an hour-long delay due to rains and lightning and turned in a one-over 73 to share the lead with Thai Sasikarn Somboonsup at the start of the 22nd SICC/DBS Junior Invitational Golf Championship 2013 at the Singapore Island Country Club’s Sime course in Singapore yesterday.

Arevalo hit three birdies against four bogeys in tough condition as she matched Somboonsup’s opening 36-37 card for a one-stroke lead over ICTSI-Philippines teammate Pauline del Rosario, who wavered at the finish with a 38 for a 74 in Class B.

A shot farther back at 75 are Sam Martirez, also a Team ICTSI mainstay, Indonesian Inex Wanamarta and local ace Ashley Loh while Bernice Olivarez-Ilas carded a 76 to stay three strokes off the pace in the 54-hole tournament which former ICTSI aces Chihiro Ikeda and Dottie Ardina ruled in 2008 and 2012, respectively.

Sofia Chabon and Mikhaela Fortuna also struggled and fell behind with 78 and 82, respectively, in the 12-15 years old division.

The Pinay golfers are coming off back-to-back sweeps in Malaysia and Indonesia with Del Rosario, Ilas and Fortuna topping their respective classes in the Kids World Golf Championship and winning the team crown in Johor and Chabon winning in the Pondok Indah Junior Golf Championship in Jakarta where she also teamed up with Princess Superal to clinch the team title.