Unson two shots behind leaders in Optimist golfest

Andrea Unson of the Philippines kept herself in the thick of the fight by shooting a one-over-par 73 in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Unson and Mailen Domecq of Argentina were tied for third in the girls' 14-15 division. Heading the said category is Anna Sophia Bohmer of Colombia (71) followed by Jinjuta Thongtan of Thailand (72). The 15-year-old Unson, winner of the San Diego Junior Masters early this month, remains in contention for the title with still two rounds left. In the girls’ 12-13 division, Daniella Uy, Unson’s teammate at the ICTSI golf team, carded a two-over 74 for solo sixth, just three behind the leaders. Candian Brooke Handerson and Mexican Ana Paula Valdes shared the lead with identical one-under 71s. After the Optimist event, Unson will participate in the prestigious US Women’s Amateur. Unson bested 72 other qualifiers in one of the sectional elims for the US Women’s Amateur slated August 9 to 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was awesome in almost all aspects, hitting all 18 fairways off the tees while missing the green only three times. Unson also made 29 putts, much to the delight of national coach Bong Lopez. “Her driving was awesome and she putted really well. It was truly impressive," he said. Unson’s impeccable shot-making in Stockton was a complete turnaround from her mediocre 14th place finish at the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego last month. - RCJ/Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV