Ikeda earns Japan Am low medalist honors

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda slowed down with a one-under 71 to settle for a share of low medalist honors in the 53rd Japan Women’s Amateur Golf Championship at the Takarazuka Golf Club in Osaka, Japan yesterday.

Ikeda matched Minami Oshiro’s sizzling five-under 67 in the first round of the 36-hole stroke play qualifiers but failed to sustain her charge and needed a birdie on No. 16 to gain the honors.

They wound up with 138s, two shots better than Asuka Kashiwabara and Natsuka Hori with the top ICTSI-backed bet confident of her chances heading into the knockout stage.

“She played a near-flawless game in the first day but struggled with her putting in the next. But she’s confident of her chances in the match play,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

He added that Ikeda’s performance netted her an invitation to play in the Japan Women’s Open Championship, a pro event, in Nagoya in September.

Over in Florida, US, Cyna Rodriguez matched par 71 while Jayvie Agojo carded a 75 as they towed four other ICTSI bets into the match play phase of the 111th Women’s Western Golf Association Championship at the Sawgrass Country Club Wednesday.

Rodriguez kept her fine form and mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys for a 35-36 round and a 141 as she settled for the No. 5 spot at the close of the 36-hole stroke play qualifiers.

But the incoming junior at the Univ. of Southern California drew teammate Daniella Uy in the first round of the knockout stage after the latter struggled with an 80 for a 158 and barely made the 64-player cut at No. 60.

Agojo settled for No. 11 after holing out with a triple-bogey seven on No. 14, finishing with a 146 for a clash with Taylor Quinn, who had a 157 after a 78.

Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of the recent Sarawak Am crown, bounced back from a 78 with a 72 for 20th place at 150. She squares off with Ellie Arkin of Wisconsin, who had a 155 after a 76.

Sunshine Baraquiel and Sarah Ababa both skied to 78s for 154 and 157, respectively, with the former facing off Canadian Taylor Schmidt, who had a 151 after a 76, and the latter colliding with Emma Lavy of Arizona, who shot a 71 for a 145.

Madison Pressel fired a 66 and nipped Meghan Stasi in the countback to bag the low medal honors and set up a clash with No. 64 Thuhashini Selvaratnam, who had an 80 for a 158. Stasi made a 68 for a 138 and a first round duel with Rachel Smith, who had a 158 after a 76.