Bondad romps away with 6-shot win in HK

HONG KONG – Frances Bondad exacted sweet revenge on Thai bets Porani Chutichai and Pornanong Phatlum as she won the 2005 Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Asian Golf Monthly International Amateur Open yesterday by six strokes with a closing one-under par 72 at the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Club course here.

Bondad, who started the round five shots over local bet Demi Mak, pulled away from the pack with a sizzling five-under 30 at the frontside of the par-73 layout then coasted to a trouble-free victory despite a 42 coming home. She finished the 54-hole tournament with 217 that included rounds of 72 and 73.

That was six shots ahead of Chutichai, who outsteadied Bondad in their final round duel in the Hong Kong Amateur Ladies Open in Fanling two weeks ago. This time, Bondad, the reigning RP Amateurs champion, didn’t only outlast the Thai ace but also clobbered her.

It was indeed a big win for the 17-year-old Bondad, the former RP Ladies Open winner who with US-based and reigning RP Ladies champion Jayvie Agojo will lead the Philippines’ bid in the sport in next month’s Southeast Asian Games at the Manila Golf Club.

Chutichai, spearhead of Thailand in the SEAG, fired a 71 and took the runner-up honors with a 223 while compatriot Phatlum, who also beat Bondad for second place in the Hong Kong Am, settled for third with a 232 after an 81.

"Nakaganti rin ako sa dalawang Thai na yan," said Bondad, who threatened to turn the tough layout into a virtual playground when she opened with a fiery 30, including three straight from No. 7. She also birdied Nos. 1, 2, 5 that negated a lone bogey mishap on No. 4.

Bondad’s stint here, along with her two other compatriots Mia Piccio and Crystal Superal as well as those of the men’s squad, is sponsored by golf patron Enrique Razon Jr. through the National Golf Association of the Philippines and serves as part of their buildup for the SEA Games.

With a whopping 10-stroke lead over Chutichai after 9 holes, the Fil-Australian bet just went through the motions of wrapping up the crown at the back and finished with that 42.

Mak failed to sustain her second round charge and skied to an 83, finishing fourth with a 233.

The two other Filipina teeners also came up with a top 10 finish although Mia Piccio, who placed second to Bondad in the RP Amateurs in Bacolod, was too far behind with a 253 after an 84 for eighth while Crystal Superal limped with an 85 for a 254 for ninth place.

The men’s squad failed to match Bondad’s feat as Michael Bibat settled for third place with a 222 after a 74, Jay Bayron had a 228 for fifth and Tonton Asistio hobbled with an 89 for a 242.