Fortuna falls behind by 8 with 75

MANILA, Philippines - Mikha Fortuna hit clutch pars coming home at the front to save a 75 but fell behind by eight off Kan Bunnabodee of Thailand in the second round of the 34th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open in Petaling Jaya late Thursday.

Fortuna, who shot a gutsy 73 in the rain-hit first round and trailed Malaysian Natasha Oon by four, battled through difficult pin placements at the back of the Glenmarie Golf Club where she teed off but flubbed a number of birdie and par putts. She settled down in the last nine holes although her 75 and a 148 put her way behind the new leader heading to the last 18 holes of Malaysia’s premier amateur event.

While the rest struggled on the unpredictable surface, Bunnabodee bucked the odds and followed up her opening 71 with a 69 to wrest the lead at 140.

Vanessa Bouvet of France moved to joint second with a 146 after a 72 in a tie with Oon, who limped with a 77 after an impressive 69 Wednesday.

“The organizers placed the pins in undulating areas, making it hard for the players to putt,” said TCC coach Bong Lopez.

TCC’s Bernice Olivarez-Ilas also sputtered with a 76 for a 150 in a tie with Liyana Durrisic of Malaysia.

Sofia Chabon, also of TCC, carded another 79 for 158 while young Annyka Cayabyab of Team Pradera Verde had an 82 for a 175.