From the looks of it, it would be a tight duel for the national championship between Grace Pauline Quintanilla and Laurea Duque.

Quintanilla turned in a four-under-par 67 to hike her total to 137, just up by four strokes against closest pursuer Duque, who made a 69 for 141 with one round to go in the Philippine Ladies Open 2024 Presented by Monde Nissin at the posh Manila Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The 16-year-old Quintanilla, who hails from Cebu City, mixed five birdies to negate a lone bogey. She put in a string of three birdies from No. 4 (8 feet), No. 5 (2 feet) and No. 6 (6 feet). On No. 15, she barely missed a 40-foot putt for eagle then drilled in a long putt from 30 feet on No. 17.

“I would call that shot at the 17th lucky because it was a difficult up-and-down lie from putt,” said Quintanilla, whose only black mark was at the 18th where she had a bogey after missing the fairway. “My round was pretty good. I just have to trust my game in the final.”

Duque, on her final tournament as an amateur this week before turning pro next month, also played solid. She immediately made an impact with a tap-in birdie on the opening hole of the par-71 layout then added three more birdies the rest of the way.

However, Duque, whose career is backed by San Miguel Corp. and Ferrari Velocita, was forced to punch out from tree twice—at the 10th and 17th—that resulted into bogeys.

“I’m okay, I am happy with my game today, Hopefully, I could minimize mistakes and more putts would go in,” said Duque, who is set to play in a local tour in March and her first salvo in the China LPGA in April.

Ten shots down from the leader is South Korean Lee Ji-won (72-147) followed by Alessandra Luciano (74), Reese Allyson Ng (74) and Anya Cedo (75), all with 150s.

Melissa Lee slowed down with an 88 but was still in command of Class A with 170. The MGCC member, though, can be complacent as junior golfer Rafa Anciano was only three back (87-173). Grace Caffyn (89-187) remains on top of Class B.

Organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP), the PLO is being sponsored by

Philippine Sports Commission, The Turf Company and Dunkin Donuts. 

Silver sponsors are Diamond Auto, Filinvest, Filhome Builders, SPES Construction, Tesla Ecomax and Unioil. Bronze sponsors include M2, Total Information Management, Let’s Golf Pare and Ayala Land Premier while Anessa and Coca Cola Beverages Philippines are backers.