Chihiro flawless, storms ahead by 5

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines – Chihiro Ikeda came charging home with four birdies, including two from long range on the finishing holes, as she completed a bogey-free five-under 67 for an imposing five-stroke lead over Gerie Leen Handog and Lovelyn Guioguio at the start of the Philippine Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship at the Manila Southwoods here yesterday.

Ikeda, in tip-top shape despite coming off a long holiday break, hit 11 fairways and missed just one green while setting up birdie opportunities inside eight feet as the reigning SEA Games gold medalist dominated the field that had braced for a tough outing at the Legends course.

But the 18-year-old Ikeda made it look easy with her big drives, superb iron shots and remarkable putting, virtually eliminating the challenge posed by the windy layout with lightning fast greens. She also displayed poise and confidence to rout the field.

That included Dottie Ardina, the three-time world junior champion and the player fancied to foil Ikeda’s bid to reclaim the crown she won in 2007. But the 15-year-old Ardina groped for form all day and limped home with a 77, 10 strokes off her ICTSI teammate.

Handog and Guioguio tried to give chase but could only come up with a gutsy pair of 72s, five shots adrift in the tournament organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. while Cyna Rodriguez of ICTSI/The Country Club shared fourth place with Del Monte’s Apple Fudolin at 73 despite an eagle on No. 14.

Handog, the 21-year-old former jungolfer, bounced back with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 to salvage a 36-36 round while Guioguio rallied with a 34 to save a 72.

“I was just lucky,” said the soft-spoken Ikeda in Filipino, trying to downplay her brilliant game that produced birdies on Nos. 6, 11 and 14 inside four feet. She capped her round with back-to-back birdies, including a 16-footer on No. 17 and a 12-footer on the 18th.

“I actually struggled with my putting stroke in the early going where I missed five birdie chances. But I settled down at the back,” said Ikeda who missed the green on the par-3 No. 3 but pitched to within four feet to save par.

She went straight to the driving range with her ICTSI teammates, hoping to further polish her game as she braces for a big comeback from the rest of the starting 65-player field in the tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corp. and Nike and backed by HSBC, De Capricho Jewelry, Baileys,Villamor Ladies Chapter, ABS-CBN, Butuan Doctor’s Hospital, Nike Park, AB Leisure Exponent,Inc., Finishes First and Absolute.

“I need to go under par tomorrow (today) to bounce back into contention,” said Ardina, who teamed up with Ikeda and Mia Piccio to deliver the SEAG team gold for RP, in Filipino.

Korean Shine Lee, joint second with Ardina in last year’s edition ruled by absentee Louise Manalo, and Regina De Guzman shared the lead with Ikeda at the turn with 35s. But the duo faltered coming home, limping with 39s for a pair of 74s in a tie with Daniella Uy of ICTSI/TCC and Indonesia’s national team mainstay Ines Putri Chandra.

Former back-to-back national ladies amateur champion Anya Tanpinco also shot a 35 at the front but shot herself in the foot with a 42 at the back to drop into a tie with Ardina and Marvin Monsalve at 77.– Dante Navarro