Saso keeps seven-shot lead

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Japanese Yuka Escalora Saso moved closer to a maiden international win as she kept a seven-stroke lead despite a two-over 74 in the second round of the Jakarta Junior World Championship at the Damai Indah Golf Club BSD course in Indonesia late Wednesday.

Princess Superal, meanwhile, kicked off her bid in Class A with an even par 72 to trail local ace Hashilla Adani by two. The Team ICTSI spearhead actually went one-under after nine holes but dropped a shot on No. 10. She birdied the 12th but bogeyed the tough par-4 15th to finish with a 35-37 card.

Adani sizzled with three birdies at the front but also bogeyed the 10th to settle for a 70.

Sam Martirez struggled with a 77 while Abby Arevalo bogeyed five of the first six holes and hobbled with a 78 in the centerpiece event of the annual tournament featuring some of the region’s top junior players.

The 12-year-old Saso, who shot a 73 in her first international stint, wavered in the early going with three bogeys in a birdie-less frontside stint. But she rebounded with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13 but dropped another shot on the 15th for a 39-35 card in Class C.

With a 147 aggregate, the newest Team ICTSI member stood seven shots ahead of Thai Rina Tatematsu, who birdied the last three holes to match Saso’s 74 and a 154 while Indonesian Rachel Maswi fell way behind at 164 after an 80.

Mika Fortuna groped for a 75 for a 152 and fell 10 strokes behind Thai Tavatanakit Paphangkorn, who shot a 70 for a 139, three shots ahead of local ace Adelia Rivani, who rallied with a 69 for a 142.