Samantha Marie Dizon and Markus Lam Gain Lead

The first round of the second event of the 2019-2020 season on the Junior Golf Tour of Asia, the JGTA Junior Aspirations at The Bluffs, is in the books. Junior All-Asia Team members from the class of 2023 showed up to play in the Boy’s Division while JGTA rookies made waves in the Girl’s Division.

Leading the way at The Bluffs in the Boy’s Division is Markus Lam (2023) of China, Hong Kong SAR. Lam made six birdies today en route to a 3-under-par score of 68. Lam is a Junior All-Asia Team member, finishing 8th on the Junior Order of Merit last season. His 3-under-par 68 marks his career-best on the JGTA.

Keeping Lam on his toes is Boy’s Player of the Year and Junior Order of Merit Champion Pongsapak Laopakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand. Laopakdee won the Hong Kong Junior Classic last season, and a first-round 1-under-par 70 puts him in a good spot heading into round two. Just behind Laopakdee is Aksel Moe (2023) of Richville, Minnesota, USA.

In the Girl’s Division, first-time JGTA competitor Samantha Dizon (2022) of Marikina City, Philippines holds the lead after posting a 1-under-par score of 70. She made three birdies today and maintained control in the wind.

Looking to strike from behind is 3-time AJGA Champion is Yu Wen Lu (2021) of Shanghai, China, who fired a 3-over-par 74. Chih Hsuan (Jenny) Chang (2021) of Chinese Taipei and Charlene Chung (2021) of China, Hong Kong SAR sit tied for 3rd, at 4-over-par 75.

The second round of play begins tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for the action…