Tamayo survives brutal winds, fires 78

NAGAOKA, Niigata — Brittany Pauline Tamayo battled through blustery conditions to card a six-over-par 78 and lead the five-member Philippine contingent in the opening round of the Yonex International Junior Championship at the Yonex Country Club on Wednesday.

Strong, swirling winds turned the par-72 layout at Yonex Country Club — an 18-hole course in Nagaoka, Niigata that opened in 1996 and was designed by Mita — into a demanding test of patience, shot-making, and course management, forcing players to rethink club selection and constantly adjust to unpredictable gusts.

The 14-year-old from South Cotabato did not make a birdie but limited the damage with six bogeys, including a three-putt. On a day when the wind punished even well-executed shots, she stayed patient and avoided the costly mistakes that derailed many rounds, leaving her within six shots off the pace entering Friday’s second round of the 54-hole tournament.

“The wind was the biggest challenge today,” Tamayo said. “I just tried to stay patient, stick to my game plan, and not let one bad shot affect the next.”

Last year, Tamayo opened with a 74 before stormy conditions saw her total score skyrocket to 13-over in the shortened tournament.

Like most of her teammates, Tamayo is using the event to prepare for the Philippine Amateur Match Play Championships next week at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac province, north of Manila.

The rest of the Philippine contingent also found the conditions difficult to conquer. Nicole Gan shot an 82, while Gab Lapuz returned a 90, Chloe Ang carded a 91, and Bea Lapuz finished with a 92.

Gab Lapuz, who competes in the boys’ division, recorded eight out-of-bounds shots, derailing what looked like a promising debut.

Their scores, however, told only part of the story.

Time and again, drives that started on the perfect line were nudged off course by the wind, while approach shots that looked destined for the green drifted into difficult positions.

The constantly changing breeze forced players to second-guess yardages and club choices, making every hole a mental challenge as much as a physical one.

Adding to the challenge, the players competed without caddies; automated carts carried their clubs as they walked the course. With two more rounds to play, the young Filipinas know that resilience is just as important as talent in championship golf.