Ikeda ends up third in Thai Open

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda ran out of holes in her comeback bid and settled for third with a closing three-under par 69 as Yupaporn Kawinpakorn ran away with the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open crown with a final round score of 72 for a four-stroke victory over compatriot Jenny Paveenuch in Bangkok late Thursday.

Ikeda, who put herself in contention with an eagle-aided 68 in the second round, came through with another pitch-in eagle on the par-4 No. 12 and added birdies on Nos. 6, 7 and 10 to make up for her bogeys on Nos. 8 and 16 at the Royal Gems Golf Club.

But those were not enough to lift the top ICTSI bet to the title as Yupaporn simply coasted to victory with a 209, four strokes clear of Paveenuch, who had a 213.

Ikeda, who reeled from a woeful 77 in the first round, wound up with a 214 for third while Sarah Ababa ended up eighth with a 217 after a 71. Andie Unson finished 10th with a 218 after a 71 while Anya Tanpinco, the leading RP bet in the first two rounds, limped with a 75 and dropped to 12th. Lovelynn Guioguio had a 76 and wound up 20th with a 227 while Sheryl Villacencio ended up 32nd with a 238 after a 79.

The ICTSI I squad of Ikeda, Tanpinco and Guioguio also finished second to Thailand I in the team gross event while Unson, Ababa and Villacencio also settled for second to Thailand 3 team in the net division.