For most young golfers, the learning curve usually involves sharp, painful turns. Yet for Grace Quintanilla it was practically a straight line — direct and non-stop — to the championship.

The 16-year-old junior golfer from Inayawan, Cebu, entered the Philippine Ladies Open to gain experience. Three days after, she walked out from the posh Manila Golf Club with the champion's trophy.

"It feels super great," Quintanilla told Tribune Golf.

"It was a very good experience overall. Coming to PLO with an intention to enjoy and gain some more experience, winning it was a total bonus for me."

That attitude allowed her to burst out of the gates free from the baggage of expectations. She took the lead right on opening day with a one-under-par 70 and never looked back.

Not that Quintanilla is entirely new to high-stakes competitions.

Last year, she won the American Junior Golf Association Patrick Reed Junior Championship at the Woodlands Country Club in Texas.

She bagged the title after rounds of 73-74-73. This week, in the country's premier ladies' competition, she scored 70-67-76.

"The nerves were still present until the last putt but all was worth it," said Quintanilla referring to the closing round where she allowed eventual runner-up Laurea Duque to close in by two.

After sinking the championship putt, the first thing she thought of doing — and what she actually did — was run to her father, Gene, who was in the sidelines rooting for her.

"Yes, my dad was with me the whole week while my mom (Edna) is back at home in Cebu," Quintanilla said.

"When it comes to tournaments, it's usually my dad accompanying me too."

With the triumph, Grace will represent the country in the Queen Sirikit Cup in New Zealand next month.