Serdenia, Suzuki shine in punishing conditions

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite — A mix of tight and commanding finishes defined the start of the 2025 ICTSI Eagle Ridge Junior PGT Championship as young golfers braved sweltering heat and punishing conditions to stake early claims at the Norman course of Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.

But it was the boys’ 15-18 division that delivered the day’s drama as Charles Serdenia and Shinichi Suzuki — both bound for the Junior World Championships — carded identical 76s to pace the 54-hole tournament, finishing five strokes ahead of Enzo Cham.

Serdenia, fresh off a win at a special Junior World Qualifier in Splendido Taal, surged with a 37 at the front nine but stumbled to three bogeys in the final six holes, finishing at four-over, enabling Suzuki, who secured his San Diego berth earlier at The Country Club, who turned in a steady 38s on both nines to draw level atop the leaderboard.

“My round was okay, but my putting was really off. The course was super difficult and it was extremely hot — we had to rehydrate every three holes,” said 16-year-old Serdenia in Filipino, who expressed gratitude to his supporters, especially his parents, for their unwavering support.

“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. I struggled hitting greens in regulation and missed several up-and-down chances and birdie opportunities,” Suzuki said.

“It was very disappointing. Hopefully, I can step up my game tomorrow.”

Wasting no time, Suzuki headed straight to the range and practice green for a quick session, determined to gain control of the tournament. This event also serves as a crucial warm-up for his upcoming Royal Junior campaign in Japan next week.

As temperatures soared and the sun bore down relentlessly, the field struggled to cope with dry fairways and fast, bouncy greens. Cham wavered with an 81, Alonso Espartero fumbled with an 82, while Rafael Mañaol and Zach Villaroman posted identical 83s.

In the 36-hole boys’ 7-10 bracket, Halo Pangilinan toughed it out in the blazing heat to card an 85, edging ahead of Isonn Angheng and Zach Guico, who matched 87s, by two shots.

“I came here to play my best but it’s very challenging,” said the nine-year-old Pangilinan, aiming to improve to an 82 in the final round.

Zoji Edoc sputtered with a 90 and will need a strong comeback in the last round to climb back in contention in the opening leg of the 15-stage nationwide series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Meanwhile, Anvaya Cove’s Mavis Espedido impressed in the girls’ 7-10 division, firing a 76 under testing conditions to seize a four-shot lead over Venus delos Santos, who shot an 80.

“The course is very hard. I had to manage it carefully and play smart on many holes,” said Espedido, who hopes to go under par in the final round. “I want to make my parents proud.”

Sanctioned this year by the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the tournament offered more than just medals — every swing was a step toward global ranking points, and every hole a gritty battle against summer’s searing wrath.