Grace Quintanilla only needed a four-over-par 76 on Thursday to claim the Open Division of the 59th Philippine Ladies Open at the Manila Golf Club.
The 17-year-old from Cebu became the leader of the youth brigade that stormed the tournament, all in chase of spots for the Queen Sirikit Championship slated next month in New Zealand.
With a strong 70-67 performance during the first two rounds, the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club mainstay easily fended off by two shots the challenge of fellow youngster, 20-year-old Laurea Duque who signed for a 74.
Reigning Asian Junior Masters champion Reese Allyson Ng came in third following a 71 for a 221 total in the meet staged by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.
Alethea Gaccion, another junior golf standout, tied Korea’s Lee Ji won for fourth place after posting 223, while Anya Cedo came in solo fifth two shots further back.
Luciana Alessandra (228) and Precious Zaragosa (229) were sixth and seventh, respectively, while Kiara Montebon and Lia Duque (both 230) shared eighth place.
Nicole Gan was ninth at 231, while Anna Kei Fernandez rounded up the top 10 after a 234 total.
Melissa Lee went all the way to capture the Class A honors after a 259 total, besting Ally Kidwell (262) and Jennilyn Floro (264) who were second and third placers, respectively.
Class B honor went to Grace Caffyn after a 280 total with Rica Baltazar (281) and China’s Alice Liang (283) placing second and third.
