Agojo leads LPGA Taiwan qualifier despite 78

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo came out of a game-long struggle in howling winds with a six-over 78 but still took a one-stroke lead over ICTSI teammate Cyna Rodriguez and Thai Tiranan Yoopan at the start of the Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship Regional Qualifier at the Sunrise Golf Club in Taiwan yesterday.

Agojo, coming off a victory in last month’s Santi Cup and a runner-up finish in the Hong Kong Amateur Open, hit two birdies but stumbled with eight bogeys as the wind blew from all over, all day at the tough par-72 layout, sending the scores soaring and the race for the top two spots wide open.

Rodriguez, who nipped Agojo in sudden death to clinch the HK Open crown, carded a 79 to tie Yoopan while Jessica Ang Pei of Singapore ballooned to a 94 as the field battled it out in 40-50/kph winds.

The 36-hole, stroke-play qualifying event is held to give local and international players the chance to play in the $2 million LPGA Taiwan Championship slated next month with the top ICTSI bets in chase for two wildcard berths.

The Taiwan tilt, the first and only LPGA-sanctioned event ever in Taiwan, features the top 68 players on the LPGA Tour, including current world No. 1 and defending champion Yani Tseng.