Yao rallies to win RP Ladies Open

Aileen Yao pounced on Taiwanese Hung Chin Huei’s double-bogey mishap on the final hole to capture the PLDT-Philippine Ladies Open golf championship by a stroke yesterday at the Wack Wack east course.

The 18-year-old Yao, here on vacation from her studies as a golf scholar at the Cal State Longbeach, closed out with a five-over-par 77 marred by a late streak of four bogeys from the 14th and but still came out victorious following a last-hole misfortune by the Taiwanese bet.

Needing a par to win and just a bogey to force a playoff, Hung, who was playing in the final threesome ahead of Yao, hooked drive on the 18th and decided to punch out into the right greenside bunker.

But just when everybody thought a playoff was in the works, Hung blasted out off the green and faced a tough chip to a difficult pin placement that was near a hump. Under severe pressure, she chipped to within four feet.

But Hung’s sidehill, downhill bogey putt missed its target as it came two rolls short, enabling the Filipino shotmaker to snatch the victory with a 54-hole output of 237.

Hung settled for a share of second with compatriot Shih Huei Ju (80) with their similar 238 aggregates.

Ruby Chico-Walker, the second round leader, relinquished the lead with a double-bogey on the third hole and hobbled home with an 83 to place third with 239 aggregate.

Showing great promise, jungolfer Jayvee Agojo claimed fifth place with an 82-242, two better than national player Carmellete Villaroman-Calimag (83) and Aileen Chua (82).

"I’m just so happy, I wanted to win this one so bad," said Yao, who has steadily improved on her finish here since she first played at age 11.

Yao’s win also made up for her disappointing runner-up finish last year where she lost by a big margin to Sri Lankan Thuhachini Selvaratnam.