Lady golfers wrest lead; men's side four down

VIENTIANE – The talent-laden national women’s golf team charged the Booyoung Golf Club with a five-under 139 and assumed the lead from rival Thailand going into the final round of the golf event in the 25th Southeast Asian Games yesterday.

Chihiro Ikeda, the 18-year-old Davaoena who won the Indonesian Open ladies last month, towed the RP team with an inspiring three-under 69 while US-based Dottie Ardina, the three-time world junior golf champion, blazed the course this time with a 70 after failing to count with a 77 in the first round. Mia Piccio stumbled with 76 and didn’t count.

That showing gave the young campaigners a two-day aggregate of 285, barely one shot ahead of Thailand (286) which carded 144 for the day but just enough to give them the psychological advantage as they go for the gold in the team event today.

Ikeda was also in the race for the individual gold medal with her 69-140, two shots behind Thai Yupaporn Kawinpakorn (69-138).

“I never lost faith in the girls after a not-so-impressive opening round. I know that they are capable of sub-par rounds and it showed today,” said coach Bong Lopez of the ICTSI golf team.

The Thais, who led by four before the second day, got 69 from Kawinpakorn, while the 75 of either Thidapa Suwannapura or Pinrath Loomboonruang counted for the squad.

Malaysia remained at third with a 290. Kelly Tan (71) and Ainil Abu Bakar (71) combined for 142. 

Myanmar was running fourth with 155-303 followed by Indonesia 153-304, Laos 164-329 and Vietnam 167-330.

The Philippine men’s team climbed to third overall following a 215 for 637. Its score for the day came from the 71s of Mhark Fernando and Tonton Asisitio and the 73 of Jhonnel Ababa. Judson Eustaquio, who scored 69 in the second round, did not count with a 74.

Thailand remained at first with 285 (633) while Singapore stayed at second with 211 (634).

Wasin remained the top contender for the individual gold with a 71 (208) followed by Thanyakorn (71-209) and J Leong of Malaysia (69-210). Fernando, Ababa and Eustaquio were running ninth with similar 216s. – Gerry Carpio