The Loop

She's 16 and shoots a 62

November 04, 2009

It must be that at that age they don't yet know how difficult the game is. How else do you explain (talent notwithstanding) how Mariko Tumangan of Presentation High shot a 10-under par 62 on the East Course at Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel, Calif., to win the California Interscholastic Federation-Central Coast Section for the second straight year?

Tumangan had six birdies and back-to-back eagles, one of them when she drove to the fringe of the green on the 277-yard, par-4 11th hole, then made a 35-foot putt. She had no bogeys on the 5,278-yard layout to win by seven strokes. Among CIF-CCS past champions is Christina Kim, who now is on the LPGA.

Last July, Tumangan, then 15, qualified for and played in the U.S. Women's Open.

-- John Strege