Ikeda pulls away by six after 66

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda put on an amazing show of shotmaking, firing a stirring six-under par 66 to post a whopping six-shot lead over erstwhile co-leader Patricia Garcia of Puerto Rico in the third round of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Saturday.

Hounded by rivals in the first two rounds after a pair of 72s, the top ICTSI-backed Ikeda flashed superb form in gunning down a mix of short and long birdie putts for a near-flawless 32-34 round. She missed the green just once on No. 3 but saved par to preserve a bogey-free round.

With a 210 total, Ikeda pulled away by six shots over Garcia, who failed to match the in-form Fil-Japanese surge, settling for a 72 and a 216.

Mia Piccio, the other ICTSI-sponsored bet, carded a 73 and gained a share of third at 221 with Nicole Agnello of the US and Thailand’s Sasikarn On-iam, who had 73 and 75, respectively.

Louise Manalo, meanwhile, improved a bit with a 73 after two 78s as she moved to 13th place in the 35-player surviving field at 229.

Ikeda, priming up for the Putra Cup later this month in Thailand, rammed in an eight-footer for birdie on No. 2, rolled in a 20-footer on the sixth, then buried a six-footer and a nine-footer on Nos. 7 and 9 for that 32.

After four straight pars, Ikeda made a superb approach shot on No. 14 for a tap-in birdie then came through with her longest birdie-putt in the week, a 30-footer on the 16th, to cap her outstanding round.