Ikeda shows way in Singapore Juniors golf

Chihiro Ikeda shot a two-over 73 to seize a one-stroke lead over ICTSI teammates Louise Manalo and Cyna Rodriguez in the first round of the Singapore Junior Golf Championships at the Bukit Golf Club in Singapore late Tuesday.

Ikeda, chasing a fifth crown in the season, struggled with four bogeys at the tight par-71 layout but made two birdies to salvage a round of 73 that proved enough to power her to the lead in the girls Class A division.

Manalo and Rodriguez, eyeing a fifth international crown, lurked behind with a pair of three-over 74s in the three-day tournament for 16-19 years old.

Sarah Ababa shot a 74 to tie Thailand’s duo of T. Suchaya and L. Pinrata for the lead in the girls’ 13-15 class.

In boys’ play, Tonton Asistio groped for form with a 73, the same output put in by Brent Sumampong as they lay seven strokes off Singapore’s Jonathan Woo in Class A. Woo fired a five-under 66 to post a one-stroke lead over compatriot Joshua Sho while Johnson Po stood in third with a 68.

Art Arbolet had a 77 while BJ Minoza skied to a 78 in the boys’ 16-19 category.