Ababa shows way in NZ golf

Manila, Philippines - Sarah Ababa carded a two-over par 75 to wrest a one-stroke lead over T. Tongdethsri of Thailand at the start of the South Island 19-under tournament at the Timaru Golf Course in Timaru, New Zealand Wednesday.

The 16-year-old Ababa, who with ICTSI teammate Jayvie Agojo bested a tough field to pocket the NZ Foursomes crown in Christchurch two weeks ago, bucked a three-over card at the back where she started, birdying No. 7 from six feet to surge ahead of the field.

Tongdethsri, a New Zealand-based Thai, turned in a three-over par 76 while local bet Laura Hoskin stood two shots farther back at 78 while Charyn Khoo and Jesse Hamilton, another pair of Kiwi standouts, were tied at fourth with 79s.

Hoskin knocked off Ababa in the first round of the NZ Women’s Amateur match play where reigning Philippine Ladies Open winner Chihiro Ikeda emerged as the top Filipino finisher with a joint third place finish.

Ikeda, also the reigning Thailand Ladies Open champion, bowed to NZ top player Lydia Ko in the semis with the latter beating compatriot Cecilia Cho, 4&3, and becoming the youngest winner of the event at 14.