Guioguio holds off Ikeda, bags Sarawak plum

MANILA, Philippines - Lovelynn Guioguio finally nailed the big one, beating fancied ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda by three shots despite a closing two-over 74 to capture the Sarawak Amateur Open crown at the Sarawak Golf Club Resort in Malaysia Sunday.

Guioguio nearly lost a five-shot lead as she lost her rhythm off the tee with two water-laced drives, enabling Ikeda to close to within one with five holes to go. But she gained a decisive three-shot swing with a birdie on No. 14 which Ikeda double-bogeyed from an errant drive and cruised to victory with a 220 aggregate.

“I played tough and hung in there,” said Guioguio, who also came through with a couple of clutch par-saving putts on Nos. 16 and 17 to hold off the charging Ikeda and secure her first international victory.

The Fil-Japanese, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open and Thailand Ladies Open champion, wound up with an even par 72 for a 223 while Jayvie Agojo failed to sustain a solid 35 with a 40 and finished with a 75.

The former Phl Ladies Open winner, however, completed the ICTSI-backed bets’ domination of the event as she ended up tied for third at 227 with Malaysian Nur Durriyay, who carded a 74.

“Lovelynn showed a big fighting heart and was able to check her skid. This win should further boost her confidence heading to this week’s Malaysian Amateur,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez of his ward who also won the Canlubang Am Open last year and the DHL-WWWExpress Championships early this year.

Sarah Ababa made a second straight 77 and wound up with a 234 while Sunshine Baraquiel had an 82 for a 242.

Guioguio birdied No. 9 from five feet to save a 36 and keep a four-shot lead at the turn as Ikeda shot a 35 with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4 against a bogey on the second. But she hit wayward shots off the mound on Nos. 12 and 13, resulting to bogeys and allowing Ikeda to close to within one.

But Ikeda pushed her drive into the water hazard on No. 14 and ended up with a double-bogey, blowing her bid for another title abroad.