BAGUIO City – The final leg of the seven-stage ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series gets underway on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the John Hay Golf Club here, promising dramatic showdowns and emotional finishes with the last few slots to the Elite Junior Finals hanging in the balance.

With only the top four players in each division advancing to the season finale set for Oct. 7-10 at The Country Club in Laguna, the race is wide open in several categories, with players closely bunched in points – setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion on this short but perilous mountain-top layout.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, the spotlight is on the high-stakes duel between Kristoffer Nadales and Jose Carlos Taruc, who are separated by a mere two points – 32 and 30, respectively – in the chase for the all-important fourth and final qualifying slot.

With the top three places virtually secured by Patrick Tambalque (45), Shinichi Suzuki (39) and Zachary Villaroman (37), the Nadales-Taruc rivalry promises a nervy, hole-by-hole battle where every swing could be the difference between heartbreak and glory.

Taruc’s runner-up finish at Pradera Verde last week has placed him within striking distance of Nadales, who finished third, intensifying what is shaping up to be one of the most compelling matchups of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Adding to the suspense is John Paul Agustin, Jr., who sits at 20 points and still holds a mathematical chance. A victory, which awards 15 points, could catapult him into the top four – provided Nadales and Taruc falter.

This tension mirrors battles across other divisions, where contenders are separated by razor-thin margins.

In girls’ 15-18, Rafa Anciano (45) and Levonne Talion (39) are safely through, but Chloe Rada (32), Tiffany Bernardino (30) and Angelica Bañez (20) are locked in a heated race for the last two spots. With no room for error, expect strategic play and emotional resilience to come into play.

In the boys’ 11-14 category, while Ryuji Suzuki (42) and Vito Sarines (39) have all but secured their berths, four golfers are in a dogfight for the final two places: Jacob Casuga (35), Race Manhit (34), Zianbeau Edoc (30) and Ryuichi Tao (26).

The girls’ 11-14 bracket sees the dominant Sarines twins, Mona and Lisa, already secured of spots with 45 points each. But the final two slots are being hotly contested by Kendra Garingalao (32), Alexie Gabi (26), and a duo tied at 22 – Eliana Dumalaog and Marqaela Dy.

In the boys’ 7-10 group, Zach Guico and Zoji Edoc are neck-and-neck at 45 points apiece, with Asher Abad (34) and Halo Pangilinan (34) looking to fend off Kingston Ching (20), who needs a win and some luck to squeeze in.

Meanwhile, Mavis Espedido (45) and Winter Serapio (37) have booked their tickets in the girls’ 7-10 class, but several others remain in contention for final rankings that could influence team selection.

On the girls’ side, watch out for Ronee Dungca, who’s staged a remarkable late-season charge. After missing the first four legs, she posted back-to-back victories at Riviera and Pradera Verde to tie Penelope Sy at fifth with 30 points. Another win could complete a stunning comeback and clinch her a finals berth.

The par-69 John Hay course offers more than just breathtaking views. It’s a thinking player’s course – tight, rolling fairways, tricky doglegs, undulating greens, and elevation changes require pinpoint accuracy, smart course management, and nerves of steel. The short layout may seem forgiving at first glance, but any lapse in concentration can quickly lead to double bogeys or worse.

As the Luzon leg of the nationwide series comes to a close, young golfers must not only master the layout but also manage the psychological weight of this final opportunity to qualify. For many, this could be the culmination of months of preparation and travel across the country in pursuit of a dream.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: only the top four players from each age group (with at least three tournaments played) will form the North squad for the Elite Junior Finals. There, they’ll face off against Visayas-Mindanao’s best in a Ryder Cup-style showdown, combining individual skill and team strategy in one of junior golf’s most exciting formats.