Sarines stars in Thai junior worlds
HUA HIN, Thailand — Even a three-putt finish on his final hole, the ninth, could not diminish Vito Sarines’ impressive campaign.
Wearing a black mask, the 14-year-old Filipino spearheaded a spirited national team charge that produced a pair of podium finishes as the Singha Thailand Junior World Championships wrapped up Sunday at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club.
Sarines battled through the final round to card a three-over-par 75, securing third place in the boys’ Class B division and capping an impressive international campaign against a formidable field of junior golfers.
He finished with a four-round total of 296, edging Vietnamese Quoc Bao Huy Nguyen via countback for third place. Thailand’s Patchirawat Rajsanmuang claimed the title with a 290 after closing with a 71.
Sarines’ contribution extended beyond the individual competition. Teaming up with Geoffrey Tan, he helped power the Philippines to another podium finish in the boys’ team event, settling for third behind champions Vietnam and runner-up Thailand.
Tan closed with an 80, but the Filipinos had built enough of a cushion to hold on to third place.
Thailand emerged as the dominant force in the four-day championship, capturing five of the 10 titles, including a sweep of the boys’ Classes C and D.
American Ryan Guo claimed the boys’ Class A crown with a scintillating final-round 66, while Tan emerged as the best-placed Filipino in the division with a four-round 304. He finished one stroke ahead of compatriot Enzo Cham, who carded a closing 75.
Thirdy Fernando of Zamboanga City produced the best final-round score among the Filipinos, firing a 74 despite suffering a triple bogey on a par-3 hole.
South Korea, meanwhile, stamped its authority on the girls’ Class A division, sweeping the podium places behind champion Junyu An, who posted a four-round total of 275.
Nicole Gaisano Gan led the Philippine campaign in the division.
How the Filipinos fared:
BOYS
CLASS A — Geoffrey Tan 304 (74-74-76-80), Enzo Cham 305 (78-71-81-75), Thirdy Fernando 307 (75-82-76), Jacob Gomez 242 (87-81-74-75), Sebastian Sajuela 319 (81-81-80-77), Raffi Casperino 324 (83-76-83-80), Gabriel Lapuz 329 (86-80-81), Felix Saludar 345 (86-94-80-85)
CLASS B — Vito Sarines 296 (72-76-73-75)
CLASS C — Kvan Alburo 253 (90-82-81)
GIRLS
CLASS A — Nicole Gaisano Gan 322 (81-80-77-84), Bea Lapuz 264 (92-86-80)
CLASS B — Kimberly Barroquillo 322 (79-83-83-77), Marqaela Dy 327 (84-85-76-82)
CLASS C — Brianna Macasaet 242 (85-76-81)
CLASS D — Stephanie Gaisano Gan 297 (100-104-93).