Ikeda rolls into Japan Am quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda racked up two victories in varying fashions to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 53rd Japan Women’s Amateur Golf Championship at the Takarazuka Golf Club in Osaka, Japan yesterday.

Ikeda, who shared the low medal honors with Minami Oshiro after the 36-hole stroke play qualifier, outplayed No. 26 Haruhi Nakao, 4&3, in the first round then scrambled past No. 18 Miyu Nakai, 1-up, in the afternoon match.

“She played solid in the morning match but struggled with her putting in the second round,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “I just hope she regains her rhythm to get a crack at the championship.”

Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies and Thailand Amateur Open champion, faces a tough rival in seventh seed Sakura Kito, a mainstay of the Japan national team, in the quarterfinals.

Kito fashioned out a pair of 3&2 victories over Miki Nishiyama and Eri Joma to clinch a Last 8 berth.

Over in Florida, US, Cyna Rodriguez continued to stamp her class in the Women’s Western Golf Association Championship, beating Mitsuki Katahira, 3&1, to roll into the Last 16 stage of the match play event at Sawgrass Country Club in Florida Thursday.