Tight contests marked the opening day of the Junior World Qualifying at the Aoki Course of the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in General Trias, Cavite on Wednesday.

Vito Sarines produced a birdie on the 16th hole to take a slim two-shot lead over Ryuji Suzuki in the boys’ 11-12 division. Two other players stayed in contention — Jacob Mackenzie Casuga and Ahn Chan who carded a 78 and 79.

In the girls’ 11-12, Cailey Gonzales opened a three-stroke lead over Aerin Chan after an 84. Running third was Kamilla Edrianna del Mundo who shot a 90.

The day’s best score was posted by Maria Brianna Macasaet who fired a 74 for a five-stroke lead over Ma. Athalea Mavis Espedido in the girls’ 9-10.

In the boys 9-10, Michael Ray Hortel II turned in a 93, one shot ahead of Halo Virgil Pangilinan.

Winter Serapio finished with a birdie and par to seize the lead from Stephanie Gan in the girls’ 7-8. Serapio tallied a 94 while Gan returned a 96.

In the boys’ 7-8, Ethan Franco Lago shot an 81 for a one-shot lead over Kenzo Gavin Tan. Zoji Tyro Edoc and Mikell Zachary Guico were within striking distance with 83 and 84, respectively.

The first-round results:

11-12 (girls) — Cailey Gonzales 84, Aerin Chan 87, Kamilla Edrianna del Mundo 90, Tea Kelsey Bernardino 90, Makayla Adriana Verano 95, Alexandra Kay Mauricio 95, Casedy Chime Cuenca 112.

11-12 (boys) — Vito Sarines 75, Ryuji Suzuki 77, Jacob Mackenzie Casuga 78, Ahn Chan 79, Race Phoenix Manhit 83, Juan Antonio Cruz 85, Gerard Benedict Handog 87, Mannuwel Maligaya 88, Benjamin Francis Zhang 105.

9-10 (girls) — Maria Brianna Macasaet 74, Ma. Athalea Mavis Espedido 79, Maurysse Abalos 80, Venus delos Santos 84, Andrea Dee 93, Penelope Kate Sy 93.

9-10 (boys) — Michael Ray Hortel II 93, Halo Virgil Pangilinan 94, Isonn Marco Luis Angheng 97, Kvan Jess Alburo 98, Jacob Lucas Sy 98, Kenji Yamada 101, Hanson Lee 103, Shaqeeq Muhafiz Tanog 111, Kayden Pangilinan 115, Matteo Kristoff dela Cruz 121.

7-8 (girls) — Athena Winter Serapio 94, Stephanie Gan 96, Tyly Quinna Bernardino 122, Eriane Zayana Pobeda 124.

7-8 (boys) — Ethan Franco Lago 81, Kenzo Gavin Tan 82, Zoji Tyro Edoc 83, Mikell Zachary Guico 84, Andres Jeturian 89, Asher Xander Abad 96, Franco Estrella 101, Jayden Matthew Bautista 133.