Annika Cedo continued to defy the odds and took out two higher seeded rivals to barge into the quarterfinal round of the weather-delayed US Girls’ Junior at the Tulsa Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma Thursday.
The 16-year-old Cedo, who tied for 29th after the 36-hole stroke play elims, fought back from two holes down with two birdies in the last five holes of her extended Round of 32 clash with Chinese Muni He, who tied for second in the elims, pulling off a victory after a grueling 21-hole duel.
Ranged against North Carolina’s Gina Kim, who shared 15th place in the qualifiers, the Manila Southwoods’ standout took charge early with pars to go 3-up after five holes then countered every Kim fightback from No. 8 to fashion out a convincing 4 and 3 romp and earn a place in the Final 8.
Cedo, who eased out compatriot Lois Kaye Go, 1-up, in the first round of the knockout stage, faces Tennessee’s Jayna Choi for a spot in the Final Four.
It has been a remarkable showing by the gutsy St. Paul Pasig student, who had been campaigning against the best in the world on her own with her parents, including touring teaching pro Jun Cedo, opting to stay behind in Los Angeles to support her sister Anya.
Anya, meanwhile, won her tournament in Veritas.
Cedo was most impressive against Kim, who moved to within two with a par on No. 8, only to yield the next hole with a bogey. Cedo lost the next on a double-bogey mishap but birdied No. 11 to go 3-up again.
After Kim birdied the 13th to threaten to within two again, the young Filipina ace answered with two tough pars as against her rival’s bogeys to clinch the victory.
Canada’s Naomi Ko, who shocked low medalist Megan Khang, 1-up, in the Round of 32, battles Korean Eun Jeong Seong in the featured quarters match.