Ababa stuns Ikeda, reaches 2nd round

MANILA, Philippines - Sarah Ababa fought back from two holes down to surprise fancied ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda to advance to the second round of match play in the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the Rhode Island Country Club in Rhode Island Tuesday.

Ababa, the reigning New Zealand Under-19 champion, pounced on Ikeda’s shaky windup to steal the win and arrange a duel with Victoria Tanco of Florida, who disposed of Canadian Jessica Wallace 3&2.

Ababa seized the lead after four holes but Ikeda eagled No. 6 to wrest control and went 2-up with a birdie on No. 11.

But the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion wavered coming home, bogeying Nos. 12, 15 and 16 and enabling Ababa to grab the lead en route to victory.

Ikeda had a chance to force an extra hole but missed a par-putt from six feet on the 18th.

The two other Filipina bets who made it to the knockout stage dropped close matches with Cyna Rodriguez bowing to Amy Anderson, who birdied No. 15 on her way to a 1-up victory.

Andie Unson lost a 2-up lead with three holes to go as Julie Yang birdied Nos. 16 and 17 to square the match before the ICTSI bet bogeyed the 18th to drop out of contention.

Top seed Kim Jihee of Korea was also ambushed by Elyse Smidinger, 2&1, but fellow low medalist Stephanie Kime escaped with a win over Pamela Pretswell on the 19th hole.