Guan eventually defeated Mapanao in sudden death after being locked up following the six-hole match play.
Guan (68) and Mapanao (70) were the only two players to break par around the par-72 venue in the strokeplay section of the day, their four and two under par scores respectively delivering the lead in the boys and girls year-long Adidas Junior 6s Tour points race.
Winds consistently measured between 30 and 35km/h throughout the day, which added to the difficulty competitors were presented with of playing the multiple-time Australian Open venue from its back tees.
Golfers and supportive parents alike noted their enjoyment of being offered the chance to tee it up at such an historic venue.
“All the kids were blown away that they had the opportunity to play Royal Sydney in the opening round of the Tour,” Adidas Junior 6s Tour founder Ewan Porter told Golf Australia magazine.
SEASON-LONG POINTS RACE
Guan, a 16-year-old member of The Australian Golf Club, got off to a great start with birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes, before his only error came in the form of a bogey at the par-5 7th, which he immediately followed with a birdie at the next.
Two more birdies on the back nine saw Guan claim the boys stroke play win by seven shots from Jake Riley and Jacob Dundas.
In the girls stroke play, Mapanao recorded two birdies and 16 pars for an impressive clean card and five-shot win from Claire Shin, with Charlotte Perkins the next best after her nine-over round of 81.
FINAL LEADERBOARDS
The match play between Mapanao and Guan was a back and forth affair, with Guan eventually taking top honours courtesy of a three at the short par-4 8th against his fellow Australian member’s par.
Mapanao and Guan have now established strong leads in the points race that will conclude at the Royal Melbourne final event, with the next tournament to take place at Queensland Open host venue Pelican Waters on April 8.
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