Hernandez storms to seven-shot lead with solid 65; Sarines sets ladies pace

Jet Hernandez played a tough first round with an eagle and no bogeys.

NGAP

MANILA, Philippines — Jet Hernandez shrugged off the rain, conquered the demanding Pinatubo course, and left the rest of the field far behind.

Hernandez fired seven-under 65 to seize a commanding seven-shot lead after the opening round of the National Stroke Play Championships at Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga on Wednesday.

In conditions expected to produce a survival test, Hernandez instead delivered a masterclass, overpowering the layout with booming drives, pinpoint iron play and a scorching putter to transform what many anticipated would be a tightly contested battle among the country's top amateurs into a one-man showcase.

The 21-year-old University of Denver standout wasted little time asserting himself, reaching the drivable par-4 fourth hole and converting a 15-foot eagle putt that ignited a flawless charge.

"Everything just worked for me, especially putting," said Hernandez. "It's like every putt I looked at had a chance to go in."

The reigning champion, who captured the title in 2024 before the tournament took a one-year break, complemented his eagle with birdies on Nos. 6, 7, 9, 12 and 17 to position himself for a successful title defense in the 72-hole championship.

Despite his dominant performance, Hernandez remained cautious about the challenge ahead.

"This is a tough course," he said. "It just so happened that I was able to find most of the fairways and I putted so well."

His nearest pursuer, however, is already seven strokes back.

Thirteen-year-old Vito Sarines displayed flashes of brilliance but struggled to sustain his momentum, settling for an even-par 72 after a roller-coaster round.

Sarines birdied the opening hole before bogeys on Nos. 4, 8 and 9 stalled his early charge. He bounced back with another birdie on the 10th but gave the shot back with a bogey on No. 12. Refusing to fold, the young standout closed strongly with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to salvage an even-par card and remain Hernandez's closest challenger heading into the second round.

Emilio Hernandez stood alone in third after a 73 highlighted by two birdies against three bogeys.

John Lawrence Pepito, Jacob Rolida and Paolo Barro shared fourth place at 74, while another Junior Philippine Golf Tour standout, Ralph Batican, battled to a 75 after closing with a bogey on the final hole.

Pre-tournament favorites Rolando Bregente and Chris Remata, both members of the national pool alongside Hernandez, also found the rain-softened layout unforgiving, each settling for three-over-par rounds.

Jakob Taruc birdied the closing hole to rescue a 76 and join Paolo Medina, Jed Dy and Benito Fregil in a tie further down the leaderboard.

In the ladies division, Lisa Sarines showcased her class with a composed 70 to establish a three-shot advantage over fellow JPGT stalwart Tashanah Balangauan, who settled for a 73. Precious Zaragosa carded a 78 to trail by eight strokes.

Sarines looked headed for an even bigger lead before a bogey on the closing hole spoiled an otherwise impressive round highlighted by birdies on Nos. 5, 13 and 17.

Balangauan appeared poised to challenge after reaching one-under through 13 holes but stumbled coming home, bogeying the last two holes to finish with a 73.

Zaragosa never fully recovered from an early bogey-double bogey stretch. She birdied the ninth for a front-nine 38 but struggled over the closing nine with a 40, leaving herself with plenty of ground to make up over the final three rounds.

Sarines, Balangauan and Zaragosa are among the top qualifiers in the premier division for next month's JPGT Elite Junior Finals in Cagayan de Oro.

Maurysse Gaerlan and Jules Gaerlan carded identical 79s to share fourth place with Crista Miñoza, while Johanna Uyking opened with an 81.