Ikeda 4th in Thai Ladies Open

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda wavered at the back and hobbled with a three-over 75, winding up fourth in the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship topped by Pinrath Loomboonruang at the Bangkok Golf Club in Thailand yesterday.

Over in India, Tony Lascuña fired a second straight five-under 67 but fell 10 strokes off Chapchai Nirat with a 199 for joint third as the Thai ace shot a 65 for an Asian Tour record of 27-under 189 after three rounds of the Sail Open at the Classic Golf Resort Course in Gurgaon yesterday.

Gaganjeet Bhullar of India turned in a 66 but stood eight shots off Nirat at 197.

Mars Pucay slowed down with a 70 and dropped to joint 13th at 203 a 66 for joint seventh at 133 while Jerome Delariarte rallied with a 65 for a 205.

Ikeda, 17, finished with a 218, seven strokes behind Loomboonruang, who matched par 72 to outduel compatriot Thidapa Suwannapura in their backside shootout for a 211. Suwannapura shot a 71 for a 212 while another Thai Jaruporn Palakawong wound up third with a 217 after a 73.

Cyna Rodriguez, the other ICTSI-backed bet, failed to sustain the momentum of her 69 in the second round as she fumbled with a 75 to finish with a 221.

Sarah Ababa made an 80 for a 229, Anya Tanpinco shot a 76 for a 230 while Louise Manalo carded a 75 for a 233.

It wasn’t an inspiring campaign for the RP bets, especially for the troika of Ikeda, Rodriguez and Manalo, who are set to compete in the Queen Sirikit Cup set early next month in Bali, Indonesia.

Ikeda, Rodriguez and Manalo finished sixth in the last Sirikit Cup in Japan ruled by Korea.