Ikeda catches Agojo at helm in Johor Am

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda came charging back and fired a one-under par 71 while Jayvie Agojo carded a second straight 73 as the ICTSI teammates wrested a one-stroke lead over erstwhile leader Nur Durriyay in the second round of the Johor Amateur Open at the Johor Golf Club in Malaysia late Friday.

Ikeda birdied three of the last five holes to turn in the day’s lone under-par card at the 6,100-yard Johor Golf Club, moving from solo third to a share of the lead with Agojo at 146.

Agojo struggled with her irons but flashed a near-impeccable short game that produced six saved pars as the Filipinas threatened to dominate the 54-hole event featuring some of the region’s leading players and rising junior stars.

Durriyay, who matched par 72 to wrest the first round lead, stumbled with a three-over 75 but still remained in the hunt with a 147, just one stroke behind the joint leaders, ensuring a three-way battle for the crown.

Singapore’s Jo Ee Kok faded with a second straight 77 for a 154 while Malaysian Isza Fariza skied to a 79 and slid to 156.

“It will be an exciting match in the final round. Both Chihiro and Jayvie are thrilled to fight for the crown although they should watch out for Durriyay, who is a solid hitter,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

Ikeda is trying to add the title to her growing list of victories this year, including the Philippine Ladies Open, the Southern Ladies and the Thailand Am titles, while Agojo is going for her second crown after teaming up with Sarah Ababa to win the New Zealand Foursomes diadem in Christchurch last month.

Ikeda actually groped for form in the early going, bogeying the first two holes before hitting birdies on Nos. 7 and 10 against another bogey on No. 8. But she fumbled with a double bogey on the par-5 11th when she blasted out of bounds on her approach shot.

A 15-foot birdie putt on No. 12, however, kept her going as the Fil-Japanese shotmaker tapped in a three-footer for birdie on the 14th before knocking down a pair of five-footers on Nos. 16 and 17.