MANILA – 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.

“I was surprised –I really didn’t expect to score this low, especially on a course I’ve never played before,” said Mendoza, following her father's advice to "stay calm and stick to the basics, especially when you hit a bad shot or things start to go wrong."

“Most of the time, my approach shots left me with easy birdie chances –usually within five feet. That meant I didn’t need to make a lot of long putts. I’ll just play exactly the same way,” the Cebu Learning Center student added.

In the boys division, Jamie Barnes carded a 71 highlighted by clutch birdies at the end of his round to take 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 (84) and James Rolida of Cagayan de Oro (90).

“I think I played really well, especially in the last three holes. That made me very happy. I also had a lot of fun out there," the nine-year-old, eyeing a rare three-peat after ruling the Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro legs, said.

“The course is tricky, especially the greens. Some are fast, then some are really slow, and a lot of them have big slopes. But I still managed to get some birdies," Barnes, who studies at Wellington College International in Thailand, said.

Meanwhile, South Cotabato’s Jared Saban carded a 74 to post a three-stroke lead over Guio Pasquil in the boys’ 11-14 division.

Pasquil carded a 77, while Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro leg champion Ken Guillermo had a 78.

In the girls division, Mactan leg champion Brittany Tamayo of South Cotabato registered a three-under 69 to lead by seven strokes over Del Monte leg winner Kimberly Baroquillo, who had a 79. Zuri Bagaloyos posted a 78. (PNA)