MANILA, Philippines- Jayvie Agojo fired a three-under par 69 to trail Malaysian Aretha Pan Herang by one at the start of the Malaysian Amateur Open Golf Championship at the A’Famosa Golf Club in Temaka, Malaysia late Friday.
Agojo flashed superb shot-making and bucked the slow greens with steady putting, ramming in five birdies inside six feet, including a tap-in on the par-5 14th which she reached in 2, putting herself in early contention with a 34-35 card.
That was one stroke off Herang, who flashed her familiarity with the long layout with thick roughs to shoot a four-under 68 although a host of others stood just a stroke or two behind with two rounds left in the 54-hole championship.
Pinrath Loombunruang of Thailand matched the ICTSI-backed bet’s 69 while Taiwanese Chi Wang and En Tsai-hsin carded identical 70s for joint fourth.
Like Agojo, Dottie Ardina proved steady off the tee, hitting all but one fairway and churned out a 71, highlighted by a 30-foot birdie on No. 2, for a share of sixth with Kim Sol Lip of South Korea.
“Jayvie and Dottie (Ardina) hit it pretty solid and should contend for the crown although the rest, particularly Chihiro (Ikeda), must step up and try to bounce back into contention,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.
Lovelynn Guioguio, who romped off with the Sarawak Am crown last week, failed to re-display her winning form and settled for an even par 72 while ICTSI teammates Sarah Ababa and Sunshine hobbled with identical 74s.
Chihiro Ikeda, the most fancied player among the Filipinas, groped for form and turned in a 75, seven strokes off the pace while Andie Unson sputtered with a 76.