SAN DIEGO, California ‑ Bambee dela Paz birdied two of the last four holes for a three-under-par 71 at the Torrey Pines north course Friday (Saturday in Manila) and a respectable share of fourth place in the Callaway Junior World golf championships here.

The 17-year-old dela Paz made a good account of herself in her final stint in this annual competitions for junior 17 years and below with her best score in four days and her third sub-par effort that should have been noticed by scouts of top universities looking for talents.

Dela Paz figured in a four-way tie for fourth with her 292 total in the best performance so far by an entry from RP since Dorothy Delasin, now an LPGA standout, won in 1999. Jennifer Rosales also won the same division in 1996.

Ha Na Jang pulled off a sensational 10-stroke romp with a 15-under 281 total for 72 holes after a closing five-under 69. The Korean beat American Danielle Frasier and Rikako Morita of Japan who tied for second after a 76 and 75, respectively.

Only 15 years old, Jang also gave a hint of the future for her rivals in the next two years since she will still be eligible until 2010.
Cyna Rodriguez, who was also among the leaders in Round 1, wound up sharing 13th. She scored a 75 for 301.

The 40-strong Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines delegation supported by Philippine Airlines, PCSO, Callaway/Electrobus, Intel, Inquirer Golf and Philippine Sports Commission will be going home with two runner-up trophies won by Dottie Ardina in the girls 13-14 and Mia Legaspi in the girls 7-8.

Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (girls 6 under) took third, Princess Superal (girls 11-12) wound up fourth while Andie Unson (girls 9-10) and Ashya Nocum (girls 6 under) posted fifth place showings for the other Top 5 showings by RP entries. They will be seeded into next year’s meet and need not go through the local qualifying.