MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda shot a two-under par 70 to trail Ahn Sun-ju by three at the start of the Suntory Open at the Rokko Kukusai Golf Club in Kobe, Japan last Thursday.
Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion, turned in a flawless round at the back where she teed off, hitting birdies on Nos. 12, 14 and 18 to join the early leaders in the kickoff leg of the Japan Ladies PGA Tour.
But the top ICTSI bet flubbed a couple of birdie putts on Nos. 1 and 4 then muffed a par-saving putt from seven feet on the ninth for her lone black mark in an otherwise impressive card.
Still, Ikeda remained within sight of the leaders, settling for joint eighth with fellow amateur Sakura Ito to lead the amateur side of the 72-hole tournament.
“Her iron game clicked but she could’ve done better if not for her shaky putting,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, referring to Ikeda’s missed birdie chances inside five feet at the frontside of the 6,500-yard layout.
Ahn sizzled with a 32 at the front to tie Esther Lee, who birdied three of the last five holes, at 67, one stroke ahead of Lee Ji-woo, who strung up nines of 34-34.
Hiromi Mogi bogeyed No. 16 and dropped into a tie with Midori Yoneyama, Ayako Uehara and Kuniko Maeda at 69.
Over in Indonesia, Sarah Ababa carded a two-over 74 to grab a one-shot lead over erstwhile leader Kok Jo Ee of Singapore halfway through the Jakarta Junior World Championship at the Damaii Indah Golf Club BSD course, also last Thursday.
Ababa totaled a 149 to pace the Class A field as Kok sputtered with a 77 and dropped to 150 followed by Malaysian Nur Durriyah, who had a 151 after a 76 and South Africa’s Lara Weinstein, who had a 75 for a 152 in a tie with Indonesian Ika Woro Palupi, who skied to an 81.
Daniella Uy, meanwhile, fired the day’s best score of 71 for a 147 to close in on Thai Niphatsophon, who struggled with a 74 after a 70 for a 144 in Class B play. Wu Sha of China also wavered with a 75 for a 145.