Agojo, 6 others reach KO stage

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo carded a second straight 74 and towed six other ICTSI teammates to the match play phase of the Women’s Trans National Golf Championship at the Members Club at Woodcreek in Columbia, South Carolina Tuesday.

Agojo gunned down two birdies against four bogeys for a 38-36 round to emerge the best Filipino finisher at 148 after the 36-hole stroke play qualifier topped by Whitney Hillier, who made a 142 after a 69.

Sarah Ababa, who tied for second with a solid 69 in the opener, stumbled with a 43 at the back and skied to an 81 but still safely made it to the knockout stage at 150 for joint 15th with Dottie Ardina, who hobbled with a 76.

Princess Superal, who matched par 72 Monday, also limped home with a 77 to tie for 11th while Cyna Rodriguez made a 75 to share 19th place at 151.

Mia Piccio, the US-based member of the ICTSI golf team, bounced back with a 72 after an 80 and gained a berth in the tournament proper at 152 for joint 26th while Lovelynn Guioguio fumbled with an 83 and barely made it through at 57th with a 160.

Agojo, the reigning Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open champion, takes on No. 51 Thuhashini Selvaratnam of Arizona at the start of match play Wednesday while Ababa faces No. 48 Manuela Carbajo of Argentina.

Ardina hopes to settle down as she squares off with No. 44 Mary Chandler Bryan, while Superal is pitted against No. 52 Kaitlin Matheson of South Carolina and Cyna Rodriguez collides with another local bet in No. 37 Rachel Wyatt.

Piccio mixes it up with No. 38 Grace Lennon of Australia while Guioguio will have her hands full against fifth seed Jessica Alexander of Florida.