Ikeda dominates WWGA jr elims

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda fired an eagle-aided four-under par 68 to capture the low medal honors in impressive fashion at the close of the 36-hole stroke play elims of the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) 83rd National Junior Championship at Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, North Carolina Tuesday.

Ikeda, trying to duplicate ICTSI teammate Dottie Ardina’s title romp in the recent PNGA (Pacific Northwest Golf Association) Championship in Oregon, finished eight strokes ahead of runner-up Courtney Taylor of North Carolina with a nine-under 135 aggregate, including a stirring five-under 67 in the first round.

She faces last qualifier Samantha O’Donnell of South Carolina in the first round of match play Wednesday. Taylor came in with a two-under 70 for a 143 and will meet Caitlin Voll of Georgia in the lower half of the 32-player draw.

Sarah Ababa, the other ICTSI bet in the fold, struggled with rounds of 79-75 but safely made it to the knockout phase at No. 20. She faces Emily Wright of Ohio. Another local bet Courtney McKim placed third with a 144 after a 72 while Yugene Lee, also (73) of Georgia, and North Carolina’s Katie Kink (74) took the next two spots with 145 and 146, respectively.

Ikeda is competing in her last junior tournament, the Optimist International in Florida, on July 28-Aug. 2.