Claren Quiño of Bukidnon rules the girl’s 7-10 division in the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday (July 2, 2025). She kept her composure despite the tough conditions at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club. (Contributed photo)
Bukidnon’s rising golf prodigy Claren Quiño kept her composure under pressure to claim the girls’ 7-10 division title in the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday.
Despite a challenging final round where she tallied six bogeys and three double bogeys for a 12-over-par 84, the nine-year-old Quiño finished with a two-day total of 165 — just enough to edge out local favorites Francesca Geroy and Abby Qiu.
“I was happy but nervous when I took the lead. On No. 9, I got a bit cheeky since my friends were watching,” admitted Quiño, a student from Del Monte School, flashing a mix of nerves and joy in her post-round interview.
Qiu posted the lowest round of the day with an 83 but ultimately fell three strokes short, settling for second place at 168. First-round leader Geroy struggled with a 92 and finished third at 172, mirroring her podium finish from the Del Monte leg.
Meanwhile, in the boys’ division, hometown standout Jamie Barnes stamped his class once more, capturing back-to-back victories in his first Junior PGT campaign. The nine-year-old sensation fired an opening-round 71, followed by a 78, for a winning total of 149.
“I played okay, but my putting wasn’t so good again,” said Barnes, ever the self-critic despite his stellar performance.
Davao’s Miguel Revilleza also carded a 78 to take second at 158, while another Cagayan de Oro native, Shaqeeq Tanog, rounded out the top three with an 84 and a 163 aggregate.
With the young talents rising to the occasion, the Junior PGT continues to serve as a stage for the country’s future golf stars to shine.