Playing with poise that belies her youth, Ronee Dungca on Tuesday took a step closer to make the North’s 7-10 girls’ team for the National Elite Finals after shooting a three-over-par 72 for an eight shot lead after the opening round of the ICTSI John Hay Junior Championship in scenic Baguio.

The 9-year-old checked a mid-round wobble on a course she played for the first time as she opened a comfortable enough cushion over Tyra Garingalao, with a third straight win giving her a coveted slot in the Ryder Cup-style North vs South showdown in October at The Country Club in Laguna.

Dungca, the Riviera and Pradera Verde champion who opened up with birdies on her first three holes and had seven for the day, needs a third straight win to tie Mavis Espedido at the top and avoid any complications of making the roster. Espedido also has three wins for the maximum 45 points.

“The course is so tough, and I had to keep my focus,” Dungca said of the hazard-laden layout where she later went on to sign for a triple bogey, two doubles and three bogeys. “But I started getting them (strokes) back and I am feeling more confident.”

Zoji Edoc also stayed on track for a third straight title, shooting a 71 to take a three-shot lead over local bet Marco Angheng (74) in the boys’ 7-10. QC’s Michael Matias shot an 82 for joint third with Samuel Ababa.

Vito Sarines set the pace in the boys’ 11-14 division with a 68, and could tie Ryuji Suzuki atop the rankings with 42 points with a win on Wednesday.

Zianbeau Edoc, like his brother, is chasing a sweep of the final three legs, matching par 69 for solo second, while Race Manhit shot a 73 for third. INQ