RP ladies cop NZ foursomes title

MANILA, Philippines - Lovelynn Guioguio and Chihiro Ikeda pooled a pair of 70s then nipped local bets Caroline Bon and Emily Perry in the countback to rule the Lion Foundation New Zealand Women’s Foursomes Championship at the par-73 Napier Golf Club in New Zealand Tuesday.

It was a big victory for the mainstays of the ICTSI-backed team after Guioguio, Ikeda and Cebu’s Irina Gabasa struggled to finish ninth in a field of 12 in last week’s Queen Sirikit Cup at the Hamilton Golf Club, also in New Zealand.

But the duo found their range at the Napier Golf Club, combining for two three-under par cards to top the 36-hole tournament, which served as a prelude to the NZ Women’s Stroke Play Championship which got under way yesterday.

Guioguio sustained her form and matched par 73 to gain a share of second with Bon at the start of the 54-hole tournament, three strokes behind Caryn Khoo, who sizzled with a three-under par 70.

But while Guioguio stayed within striking distance, Ikeda strayed too far behind as she limped home with a 10-over 83 and stood way down in joint 46th, 13 shots off the pace.

The event also serves as the duo’s preparation for the Philippine Amateur Golf Championship which fires off April 28 at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.