Davao city: Cebuana Denise Mendoza delivered an impressive performance in the opening round of the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship girls' 7-10 division Wednesday in Davao City. Amid humid conditions and overcast skies, the 10-year-old came up with a 64 after scoring birdies from No. 10 through 15 at the South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates to post a 23-stroke lead over Del Monte leg winner Soleil Molde heading into the final round of the 36-hole competition. Molde had an 87 while Francesca Geroy registered a 91.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza expressed surprise at her performance, stating she didn't expect to score so low, especially on an unfamiliar course. Following her father's advice, she focused on staying calm and sticking to the basics, which allowed her approach shots to leave her with easy birdie chances. As a student of Cebu Learning Center, Mendoza plans to maintain her strategy in the final round.

In the boys division, Jamie Barnes carded a 71, highlighted by clutch birdies at the end of his round, taking an eight-stroke lead after Davao's Miguel Revilleza finished with a 79. Cebu's Kvan Alburo placed third with an 80, followed by Shaqeeq Tanog with an 84, and James Rolida of Cagayan de Oro with a 90. Barnes, a student at Wellington College International in Thailand, is aiming for a rare three-peat after his victories in the Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro legs. He described the course as tricky but managed to secure birdies despite the challenging greens.

Meanwhile, South Cotabato's Jared Saban carded a 74 to post a three-stroke lead over Guio Pasquil in the boys' 11-14 division, with Pasquil carding a 77 and Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro leg champion Ken Guillermo scoring a 78. In the girls division, Mactan leg champion Brittany Tamayo of South Cotabato registered a three-under 69, leading by seven strokes over Del Monte leg winner Kimberly Baroquillo, who had a 79. Zuri Bagaloyos posted a 78.