Ikeda cards sizzling 67, leads by one

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda put on an amazing show of shotmaking and produced a stirring five-under 67 to grab a one-stroke lead over Sally Watson of Scotland at the start of the Red Tail Golf Open of the FCWT (Future World Collegians Tour) at the Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Massachusetts over the weekend.

Ikeda, 17, bucked an opening hole bogey with a cluster of birdies, picking up shots on Nos. 2, 4, 8 and 9 for a 33 going out. She sustained her form and gunned down two more birdies at the back to complete a fiery 67 round.

That was one shot ahead of Watson, winner of the recent Leadbetter Challenge, who birdied three of the last five holes to fire a 68 while Karen Chung of New Jersey stood a stroke farther back at 69 with a birdie on the 18th.

Dottie Ardina, the top ICTSI golf scholar chasing her third title in the season after winning the Eagle Creek and the Plantation Inn Opens, made three birdies in the last 10 holes to overcome a double-bogey on the par-3 No. 5 as she wound up with a 71 for fifth behind teammate Sarah Ababa, who had a 70.

Louise Manalo, the reigning RP Ladies Open champion, carded a 73 while Mia Piccio sputtered with a 79 in the 36-hole tournament for players aged 13-18.