Agojo tops LPGA Taiwan reg'l qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo gained a spot in next month’s rich LPGA Taiwan Championship when she topped the 36-hole regional qualifier with a closing 75 at the demanding Sunrise Golf Club in Taiwan yesterday.

Agojo, whose opening 78 netted her a one-shot lead in windy Thursday, held her ground as rains made the competition a lot tougher with the top ICTSI-backed bet coming up with a superb short game to salvage five pars and fend off her pursuers.

She finished way ahead of the field at 153 and got the chance to play alongside world No. 1 and defending champion Yani Tseng and Paula Creamer and Korean ace So Ryun Ryo in the $2 million LPGA Taiwan Championship set Oct. 25-28, also at Sunrise.

“They played on an ever worse condition today (yesterday) with forecast of storm. But Jayvie held on to her game with an excellent short game,” said ICTSI team coach Nestor Mendoza. “She made just 27 putts and her three-over card was the best score under harsh conditions.”

But while Agojo, winner of this year’s Santi Cup individual crown in Indonesia, advanced, ICTSI teammate and reigning Hong Kong Amateur Ladies champion Cyna Rodriguez failed to make the grade, falling short by one with a 160 after coming in ruffled by the winds with an 81.

Thai Tiranan Yoopan, a pro from Thailand, snatched the second and last berth with a 159 after an 80 while Jessica Ang Pei of Singapore failed to recover from a 94 and wound up with a 188.

The victory also kept the ICTSI girls’ impressive campaign the last six weeks after Agojo herself kicked off the run in the Santi Cup before Rodriguez followed it up in Hong Kong and Dottie Ardina took the Taiwan Amateur crown and Princess Superal, 15, ruled the Malaysian Juniors last week.