Uy, Bisera fight back as Chinese ace dominates Singapore Masters opener
MANILA, Philippines — Facing early challenges on a low-scoring Friday, Daniella Uy and Yvon Bisera flashed their trademark grit to lead the Filipina charge, staying within striking distance of a blistering Zixuan Xue in the opening round of the Singapore Ladies Masters at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club’s Masters course in Singapore.
While the par-72 layout tested the field early, the Filipina contingent refused to back down, anchoring their rounds with impressive mid-game turnarounds.
Uy endured a shaky start, stumbling with back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 3 and 4. However, she quickly rediscovered her rhythm, unleashing a three-birdie blitz from No. 7 to storm back into contention. A minor speed bump on the 10th briefly slowed her momentum, but the veteran campaigner recovered the stroke with a birdie on No. 13, parring her way home for a one-under 71 and a share of 17th place.
Starting at the backside, Bisera faced immediate test with a double-bogey on the 10th. Showing immense spunk, the reigning Thailand Ladies Masters champion roared back with birdies on Nos. 12, 15 and 16 to briefly crack the Top 10. Though a roller-coaster front nine — marred by three bogeys against two birdies — settled her at an even-par 72, her resilient performance kept her well in the hunt at joint 24th.
While the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour standouts fought hard to stay afloat, China’s Zixuan Xue made the challenging course look effortless. Xue put on a golfing clinic, setting a scorching pace for the $120,000 China LPGA Tour event.
After cruising through a solid frontside 33 with birdies on Nos. 2, 4 and 7, Xue dominated back nine. She tore through the final stretch with a sizzling five-birdie run, spotlighting her dominance on Nos. 10, 13, 14, and a brilliant finish with two birdies in her last three holes. Her flawless, eight-under-par 64 secured her a commanding three-stroke lead over the rest of the 106-player field.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old California-based Filipina amateur Stevie Umali stumbled with a late bogey on No. 7, ending up with a 73 for a share of 31st, while Chanelle Avaricio charged back with two frontside birdies to rescue a 74 for joint 43rd.
Mafy Singson, however, hobbled on a rough, birdie-less day, stumbling to a six-over 78 for a share of 81st.
Xue, meanwhile, seized control by three over a late-charging Thai Kultida Pramphun, who fired a 67 in one of the late flights to tie Ying Xu at second with Xinyu Cao and He matching 68s for a share of fourth.
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