TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines — Former national champion Perry Bucay of De La Salle University made history on Monday, May 11, 2026, as the first-ever men’s individual leader of the UAAP Golf Tournament, which debuted as a demonstration sport in Season 88.
Amidst the tense silence of the Tagaytay Midlands course, Bucay rescued a level-par 72 by draining a clutch five-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, securing a one-stroke lead over teammate Zachary Castro in the individual race.
Despite a flawless performance on the green, the Green Archers’ team score was adjusted due to a technicality.
- Individual Standings: Bucay (72) and Castro (73) sit at the top of the leaderboard, followed closely by University of the Philippines (UP) players Joshua Buenaventura (74) and Miggy Roque (75).
- Team Performance: La Salle initially posted an aggregate of 221 (including the 76 of Miguel Fusilero). However, the team was assessed a two-stroke penalty for a uniform infraction, raising their total to 223.
- Current Lead: Even with the penalty, the Green Archers maintain a three-stroke lead over UP (226) and a significant 17-stroke lead over third-placed Ateneo de Manila University (240).
While La Salle dominated the men’s side, a Lady Eagle soared to the top of the women’s individual standings.
| Rank | Player | School | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monique Mendoza | Ateneo | 81 |
| 2 | Annika Gozum | UP | 82 |
| 3 | Julia Lua | La Salle | 86 |
Monique Mendoza staged a gutsy backside charge to salvage an 81, overcoming a challenging front nine and a double-bogey on the 10th. La Salle’s Julia Lua, a pre-tournament favorite, struggled in the hot and windy conditions, finishing five shots back.
The introduction of golf as a demonstration sport marks a shift in the traditional UAAP atmosphere. Unlike the roaring crowds of basketball or volleyball, the fairways of Tagaytay were defined by “dead silence” and anxious walks.
- Participating Schools: The inaugural five-school competition features Ateneo, La Salle, UP, UST, and Adamson.
- Format: The tournament follows a four-to-play, three-to-count format, played over 72 holes.
- Next Rounds: The competition continues through the week, with individual and team honors to be awarded at the conclusion of the fourth round.
“I struggled a bit with my putting, so I was fortunate that I hit good tee shots and was able to place my approach shots very close to the pin.” — Perry Bucay, DLSU Men’s Golf Leader.