By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Zach Guico fumbled with a 2-over-par 38 but it was enough to capture the title in the Boys 7 years division of the US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina over the weekend.
Guico struggled in the early holes with a bogey on the first, a double bogey on the second and a bogey on the third, but managed to pick himself up with birdies on Nos. 5 and 9 to finish with a three-round total of 104.
He banked on his earlier rounds of 32 and 34 to clinch a four-shot victory over American George Powell, who jumped from third to solo second with a 108 aggregate following a 38 on the final round.
It was Guico’s biggest achievement so far in his young career, having been dominating the local age-group circuit back home.
Another American in Duncan Little, who trailed Guico by three strokes entering the final round, struggled with a 41 to finish tied for third place with Italy’s Pietro Salvati (36) with identical 110 totals.
Meanwhile, Athena Winter Serapio posted a 38 for 111 to finish tied for 14th place in the Girls 8 division, while Zoey Behati Mascarinas also carded a 41 for 124 to settle for 15th place in the Girls 7-under.
Other Filipino finishers were Andres Jeturian (joint 31st in Boys 7), Kenzo Tan (26th in Boys 8), Georgina Handog (joint 49th in Girls 11), and Laura Pablo (joint 74th in Girls 8).
