Kawinpakorn finishes strong, bags LPGT Beverly crown

MEXICO, Pampanga, Philippines — Yupaporn Kawinpakorn recovered from a wobbly start with another blazing finish as the Thai veteran re-asserted her mastery of the local aces, beating Chihiro Ikeda by three with a third straight 68 to claim the ICTSI Beverly Place Ladies Classic crown here yesterday.

Kawinpakorn blew a one-stroke lead with a bogey on No. 5 but fought back from one down by ripping Beverly Place Golf Club’s backside with a four-under 33, spiked by a three-birdie binge from No. 15, as she dominated the cream of the local crop again the way she did at South Forbes three weeks ago.

“I knew from the start that I could win again. I trained hard and so confident of my game,” said Kawinpakorn, who pooled a nine-under 204 aggregate to bank another P150,000.

Ikeda pounced on Kawinpakorn’s early bogey and knocked down a birdie on No. 6 to wrest the lead. But the Fil-Japanese groped for her putting form, muffing a number of birdie putts, including on the last two par-5s which she birdied Wednesday.  She wound up with a 70 and lost by three with a 207 worth P95,000.

Dottie Ardina also turned in a 70 and finished third with a 208 and received P60,000 while Cyna Rodriguez struck back with a 67 to place fourth at 209 and Thai Tiranan Yoopan also rallied with a 68 to finish fifth at 211.

Princess Superal failed to break par in three days over a short course which suits her game, settling for a second 71 and dropping to sixth at 214 followed by Aunchia Utama of Thailand, who fumbled with a 73 for a 216 and Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro, who also made a 73 for a 218.