Ikeda coasts to victory; RP sweeps titles

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda scored an expected romp in the 30th Indonesia Amateur Open, posting a four-shot victory over local bets Retno Sudjasmin and Juriah despite a closing four-over 76 while the ICTSI-RP swept the men’s and ladies team crowns in Jakarta late Friday.

Ikeda, who led by three after 36-holes, had a rollercoaster round of five birdies, two bogeys, two double bogeys and one triple bogey at the Damai Indah Golf Club. But the top ICTSI team player still ran away with the win as her pursuers also wavered at the challenging layout.

The Fil-Japanese, who with Dottie Ardina will lead the country’s bid in next month’s SEA Games in Laos, wound up with a 222 total while Sudjasmin and Juriah had identical 226s after a 72 and 77, respectively. Sarah Ababa and Shannon Pak, the other Team RP members, finished tied for fourth at 230 after similar 74s.

The troika also combined for 295, nipping the hosts, who had a 296 aggregate, to rule the 36-hole, three-to-play, two-to-count team competition.

It was Ikeda’s seventh individual title in the year, counting her victories in 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.

Zanie Gialon failed to complete a four-title sweep for ICTSI-RP as he flubbed a five-foot par putt on the final hole and missed the playoff for the men’s crown.

Gialon settled for a 74-296 and missed joining Indonesians Benny Kasiadi (76) and Soprapto (77), who had 295s, in the playoff. Kasiadi won the title.

Peter Villaber rallied with a 70 while Dante Becierra matched par 72 to finish tied for fourth at 297.

Gialon, Villaber and Becierra also pocketed the men’s team crown with a 445-total, beating Kasiadi and company, who had a 454 total.