Bisera roars into contention on late birdie-blitz
MANILA, Philippines — Yvon Bisera mounted a solid back-nine charge on Saturday, turning a shaky start into a blistering run for the title with a four-under 68 to vault into serious contention at the Singapore Ladies Masters.
Shaking off a frustrating one-over 37 at the front, the multi-titled Ladies Philippine Golf Tour campaigner ignited her comeback with a gritty birdie on the 10th of the Laguna Golf and Country Club’s Masters course. That sparked a scorching run of four more birdies from No. 12 catapulting the Filipina ace from joint 14th into a tie for fourth place at four-under 140.
Following an opening-round 72, Bisera's brilliant recovery puts her firmly in line for a second overseas victory, following her Thailand Ladies Masters triumph last year.
Despite her surge, the Davaoeña shotmaker remained four strokes behind new leader Xiang Sui, who charged to the top with a 67 for a 136 total. Sui wrested control from Thailand’s Kultida Pramphun, who slipped with a costly bogey on the par-3 17th to finish with a 70 and a 137.
Meanwhile, Chinese amateur Jinghan Cui hit back-to-back birdies from No. 14 on her way to a 69 for solo third at 139. Former leader Zixuan Xue suffered a back-nine meltdown, shooting a 41 on her way to a 76 to drop into a five-way tie in Bisera’s group.
With Sui determined to close out the final round and claim the lion's share of the $120,000 China LPGA Tour event, Bisera faces a formidable battle in Sunday's finale.
Amateur Stevie Umali also put herself in position for a breakthrough victory. The US-based Filipina, who has committed to the Colorado Buffaloes through 2031, initially spearheaded the local charge with a dazzling four-birdie 32 on the front side.
Though she stumbled with a bogey on the 10th, Umali showed immense composure by parring the next seven holes before closing with a birdie for a 68 and a 141 for joint 10th.
Other Filipina contenders experienced mixed results in hot conditions heading into the final round.
Daniella Uy slipped to joint 23rd at 145 after a 73, while Chanelle Avaricio scraped into the final round with a 74 for a share of 42nd at 148.
Mafy Singson, however, missed the tournament's 150 cut line, finishing with a 156 total after another 78.
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