Thais sustain AsPac charge

Filipino bets in the lower categories carried the fight for the hosts yesterday as the Thais continued to stamp their class in the 29th Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship presented by the Department of Tourism at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

AR Ramos and Angelo Gandionco shared the halfway lead in boys’ Class C at 147 while Mia Legaspi and Thailand’s Sutavee Chanachai both had 157s to show the way in girls’ Class B.

Thai star Khrongpa Thanyakorn sustained his pace in the premiere boys’ Class A despite a one-over-par 73 as he assembled a 139, three strokes clear of Malaysian Mohammad Arie Irawan Ahmad, who carded a 70 for 142.

Another Thai, Ariya Jutanugarn, virtually assured herself of the girls’ Class C title following a 68. Coupled with her opening 69, Jutanugarn was at 137, seven shots of RP’s Daniella Uy, who submitted a 74 for 144, heading into today’s final round.

Yusa Bai Piyachad also moved closer toward the boys’ Class D plum with a 74 and a 140, pulling away from Filipinos Rupert Zaragosa, who shot a 70 for 145 and Justin Dy, who carded a 73 for 150.

The race for the Class A crown remained tight with Indian Abhijit Chadha still in the hunt following a 73 and a 143 and Taiwanese Tao Huang (75) and Chien Yao Hung (72) staying in the hunt with 146s.

Filipinos John Kier Abdon and Jobim Carlos failed to gain any headway as they struggled with 75 and 77 for 149 and 152, respectively.

In Class B, Indian Seenappa Chikkarangappa settled for a 76 and a 143 total, enabling compatriot Singh Saini Ashbeer to close in at 144 after a 71.

The best Filipino performer among 11 entries of the event backed by Tourism Secretary Ace Durano was Bino de la Paz, who shot a 77 for 155, 12 shots behind.

South Korean Lee Min-young fired a 68 to pace girls Class A as Thais Patcharajutar Kongkraphan shot a 70 and Yupaporn Kawinparkorn turned in a 72.

Reigning Philippine Ladies Open titlist Chihiro Ikeda groped for form with a 74 and stood sixth shots adrift.

As expected, the Thais also led the boys’ team competition with a two-round total of 436 built on a 216 and a 220 yesterday. The Indians, however, were two shots behind at 438 (216-220). The Taiwanese were at third with a 444 (219-225), the Malaysians fourth with a 448 (223-225) and the Filipinos a distant fifth with a 460 (229-231). If any consolation, the locals fared better than the touted Koreans, who were at 462 (225-237).