Ikeda nears Indo Am crown with 71

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda moved one round away from nailing her seventh crown in the season as she fired a one-under par 71 to seize a three-stroke lead in the second round of the 30th Indonesia Amateur Open in Jakarta late Thursday.

Ikeda, who with US-based Dottie Ardina will spearhead the Philippines’ bid in next month’s SEA Games in Laos, recovered with late birdies in another tough day at the hazard-laden Damai Indah Golf Club, finishing with a 36-35 card.

Counting his three-over 75 in the first round, the mainstay of the ICTSI golf team assembled a 36-hole aggregate of 146 to storm to a three-shot lead over Indonesia’s Juriah heading into the final day of the 54-hole tournament.

Juriah, who shared the first round lead with Ikeda and compatriot Dea Mahendra, struggled under tough playing condition and made a three-over 74, dropping to second with a 149.

Ikeda is chasing her seventh victory in the year after ruling the DHL Open, the Optimist International in Florida, the FCWT leg in the US, the Hong Kong Amateur Ladies Open and the Cangolf Am and the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open, also in Hong Kong.

Retno Sudjasmin, also of Indonesia, wavered with a 76 and fell way behind at 154 while Sarah Ababa, the other ICTSI bet, had a 79 to drop into a three-way tie for fourth at 156, 10 shots off the pace.

But while Ikeda progressed, Zanie Gialon and Dante Becierra, co-leaders in the second round, faltered in the men’s side with over-par rounds with the former fumbling with a 76-222 and the latter limping home with a 79-225.