Mia Legaspi made up for her sorry Junior World loss by winning the girls eight years and under division of the US Kids World Championship even as Miguel Tabuena came from way behind to post a third place finish on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Pinehurst Golf Club in North Carolina.

Legaspi two-putted for par from 24 feet on the final hole for a 34 at the Longleaf course of Pinehurstand a 54-hole total of 97, edging Americans Brooke Dillon and Claire Hodges by a stroke for her second major title in as many years.

Angel Yin, the California native who foiled Legaspi’s title retention bid in the Junior World two weeks ago in San Diego, could only place fourth this time finishing four strokes behind.

Tabuena, in 18th place before the final round, sizzled with a 69 and soared all the way to third place in his farewell stint in the US Kids where he won the boys 10 years division two years ago.

Tabuena wound up at 220, five shots off the winning 215 total of Francesco Ruffino of the US who also made a 69 in the last round. Another American bet, Beau Hossier Jr., placed second at 217.

Five other bets of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines posted respectable finishes. Irina Gabasa and Andie Unson checked in fifth and sixth in the girls 10 years division, AR Ramos wound up seventh in the boys 10 years, Ryan Monsalve claimed 10th spot in the boys seven years and LK Go was 11th in the girls eight and under.

Due to their strong showing, Tabuena, Gabasa and Unson also qualified to play in the US Kids World Cup where 16 standouts from among the US entries will clash with the top 16 bets among the International players on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Tabuena also received Junior All-Star Exempt Status for the American Junior Golf Association’s Jr. All-Star Series.

Philippine standout Dottie Ardina is in the annals of the US Kids as the first player to win all five divisions of the US Kids’ girls category, completing the grand slam last year. She also placed second in the Junior World.

“We just wanted to prove that we can beat Angela (Yin) but we we’re surprised to be contending against different players. I’m just so happy Mia pulled it off, we dedicate this win to all the Filipino jungolfers who keep on believing that we can be the best in the world,â€