Kenneth Kano of the Philippines carded a 71 to share opening day honors with Taiwanese Daniel Lin Ding-Sheng in the boys’ 15-17 division of the 10th Philippine International Junior Golf Championships on Thursday at the Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club in Calamba, Laguna.

Jobim Carlos submitted a 72 while fellow Filipinos Jonar Austria and Miguel Tabuena shot identical 74s to make it a crowded race in the centerpiece boys’ division of this medal play event presented by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Staying close with the leaders are Lee Si Hyung of Korea and Gregory Foo of Singapore with their 75s followed by Kumaraesan Shanmugam of Sarawak and Gus Mata of the Philippines with 77s.

Malcolm Kunjin of Sarawak also sizzled on opening day with a 70 to take a two-shot lead over Justin Quiban and Yo Shen Chang of the Philippines in the boys’ 13-14 class. Filipinos Jama Reyes and Aris Mata are next with their 75s.

In the boys’ 11-12 age bracket, Sebastian Lorenzo carded a 75 to lead Hsiang Yu-Chuan of Taiwan by four strokes while Wei Yu Gao shot an 81 to take the 10-under lead by four shots over Aidric Chan also of the Philippines.

In the girls’ division of this Philippine Junior Golf Federation-organized tourney, the early pacesetters are: Kim Mingi of Korea who submitted a 72 to take the 12-under lead by seven strokes over Carolin Chang Yu-Hsin of Taiwan, and Regina de Guzman of the Philippines after scorching the fairways with a 72 in the 13-17 category.

Princess Superal shot a 73 while Wu Ying-yi of Korea carded a 74 to keep close with De Guzman.