Golf

ROUND 1 LEADERS HOLD COURT, EXTEND LEADS

Sablan, Jacot extend leads heading into final round

Published on

June 18, 2023

GSPN

By Patrick Lujan

Youth continues to be served in the 2023 Guam Amateur Golf Championship as 19-year-old Ivan Sablan and 14-year-old Tyanna Jacot extended their leads in Round 2 Sunday at the Country Club of the Pacific.

Sablan shot a 1-over 73, one shot better than Saturday, and Jacot cruised to another impressive even par 72 on the women’s side on another windy day at the Ipan, Talofofo golf course.

The third and final round is slated for next Saturday at CCP.

Men’s Division

The junior college golfer extended his lead to eight strokes after a steady and confident 73. While the competition tried to play catch-up after some high scores in the opening round, Sablan’s driving was on point throughout, shortening the course and putting himself in position for low scores.

“The game is in a good spot right now,” Sablan said. “Everything feels pretty good and we hope to keep it consistent (next Saturday).”

Sablan’s physical stature is evident as he’s put on more muscle from a year ago when he won the silver medal in Saipan’s Pacific Mini Games.

“I’m trying to hit the ball further and trying to give myself advantages off the tee box. I’m not trying to do it for looks, I’m trying to do it for the game,” Sablan said about his strength training.

He will be transferring from his community college squad to either Sonoma State (DII) or UC-Davis (DI) this fall.

Louie Sunga holds on to second place after rounds of 77-78, while Nalapon Vongjalorn sits in third place three strokes back.

Eugene Park and Redge Camacho made big moves, both bettering their scores by 10 strokes from Saturday.

Women’s leader Tyanna Jacot rips a drive off the tee on the final hole of round 2. (photo by Cam Santos)

Women’s Division

She’s just 14, but Tyanna Jacot is on a whole different level, shooting back-to-back even par rounds this weekend.

Her main goal coming into the second round was to shoot under, but couldn’t quite get to it on a windy day.

“I just couldn’t get the birdies on the last couple of holes,” said the incoming sophomore at St. John’s. “I had that one bogey, and that would’ve been my one-under, but that’s alright. My chipping (was working) and also my putting, which I didn’t have yesterday.”

With an insurmountable 17-stroke lead, Jacot is now competing within herself and said she’s aiming for a four-under final round. “That’s the goal.”

The ageless Tessie Blair jumped into a tie for second place with a solid 78 on Sunday.