The youngest guns stole the spotlight in the opening round of the ICTSI South Pacific Junior PGT Championship — none more so than 10-year-old Denise Mendoza, who turned a tight contest into a dazzling one-girl show with a spectacular eight-under 64.

The Cebuana prodigy unleashed a stunning six-birdie blitz from No. 10 at the South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates, turning what had been a close contest in the girls’ 7–10 division into a personal highlight reel.

After trading three birdies with as many bogeys on the front nine under humid, overcast skies, Mendoza caught fire at the turn.

She reeled off birdies on Nos. 10 through 15, punctuated by a highlight-reel moment at the island green of the par-3 15th — where a misjudged downhill putt struck the flagstick and dropped in.

She closed with birdies on 17 and 18 for a scorching 28 on the back nine, building a massive 23-shot lead over Del Monte leg winner Soleil Molde (87) heading into the final round of the 36-hole competition. Francesca Geroy carded a 91.

In the boys’ 7–10 division, Jamie Barnes moved a step closer to a rare three-peat with a 71, highlighted by clutch birdies on the final three holes. The Wellington Thailand student, who earlier triumphed at Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, seized an eight-shot lead over Davao’s Miguel Revilleza (79).

Cebu’s Kvan Alburo (80), Shaqeeq Tanog (84), and James Rolida (90) trailed further behind.

In the boys’ 11–14 division, South Cotabato’s Jared Saban took a major step toward a breakthrough win with a 74, three strokes ahead of Guio Pasquil (77). Saban, who placed third in both Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro legs, mixed two birdies with four bogeys for a steady 36-38 round.

Pasquil charged early with a 36 on the front but faltered on the back, while Ken Guillermo — a two-leg winner — stumbled with a 78, undone by two double bogeys.

South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo also sizzled in the girls’ 11–14 division, firing a three-under 69 to grab a seven-shot lead over Kimberly Baroquillo (76). Zuri Bagaloyos finished with a 78.

In the premier 15–18 class played over 54 holes, local standouts AJ Wacan and Adrian Bisera grabbed the lead in the boys’ division with rounds of 72 and 75, respectively. Korean Eric Jeon remained within striking range with a 76, while Armand Copok bounced back from a frontside 41 with a closing 36 for a 77.

On the girls’ side, Merry Rosa Wacan birdied the par-5 No. 7 and salvaged a 77 to tie Del Monte’s Crista Miñoza, who bogeyed No. 8 late. They now share the lead heading into what promises to be an intense final two days.

Del Monte leg winner Zero Plete faded with an error-filled 86 (46-40), while Mikela Guillermo settled for an 88 — both falling well off the pace.