MANILA, Philippines — Ten-year-old Kamilla Del Mundo captured the girls’ 9-10 championship at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, California, carding a four-under 68 in the final round to secure the Philippines’ first title in the tournament in seven years.
Del Mundo finished with a 54-hole total of 10-under 206, two strokes ahead of fellow Filipina Mavis Espedido and Canada’s Elizabeth Yang, who shared second place at 208 after closing with rounds of 64 and 66, respectively.
The victory made Del Mundo the country’s first Junior World champion since Aidric Chan won the boys’ 15-18 division in 2019.
Holding a one-shot lead entering the final round, Del Mundo birdied three of her first five holes to extend her advantage as Japan’s Miyu Tsunesumi stumbled with early bogeys. Despite back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 6 and 8, Del Mundo regained momentum with birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 15 before parring the final three holes to seal the title.
Espedido mounted the biggest charge of the day after entering the final round six shots behind Del Mundo. She rebounded from a second-round 77 with a tournament-best eight-under 64, recording four birdies on each nine to climb into a tie for runner-up.
The Philippines also earned another podium finish through Zach Guico, who tied for third in the boys’ 7-8 division with a total of 181, five shots behind American champion Bode Berry.
Elsewhere, Emilio Hernandez tied for 47th in the boys’ 15-18 division, Alessandra Luciano shared 60th in the girls’ 15-18 class, Jared Saban tied for 62nd in the boys’ 13-14 category, Lisa Sarines finished tied for seventh in the girls’ 13-14 division, Brie Macasael placed tied for 25th in the girls’ 11-12 class, and Zoey Mascariñas ended tied for 20th in the girls’ 7-8 division.
