Ikeda keeps 3-shot lead despite one-over 73

CARMONA, Cavite , Philippines  – Chihiro Ikeda came in ruffled by the wind but still came out with a three-shot lead, turning in a gutsy one-over 73 to overcome Irina Gabasa’s awesome seven-under 65 and ICTSI teammate Cyna Rodriguez’s eagle-spiked 70 in the second round of the 48th Philippine Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship yesterday.

Flawless in her first round 67 Wednesday, Ikeda bogeyed three of her first seven holes in another windy day at the Manila Southwoods’ Legends course but fought back with three birdies in the next eight before dropping another stroke on the par-3 16th. She had a 38-35.

It was enough to keep the SEA Games gold medalist’s bid for a second Open crown in four years alive, her four-under 140 aggregate putting her three shots clear of Gabasa and Rodriguez heading into the final 18 holes of the tournament organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by San Miguel Corp. and Nike.

“Compared in the first round, the wind was a lot stronger this time and I told myself this is it,” said Ikeda, who struggled on her club selection until she birdied the par-5 No. 8 from eight feet to get back into the groove.

Gabasa also needed eight holes to bounce back from an awful opening of 78, knocking down a six-footer for birdie on the eighth and hitting the turn with a 33. The diminutive 15-year-old from Cebu, whose frail frame belies her power off the tee, sustained her fiery form at the back, firing four birdies to complete a bogey-free, tournament-best round of seven-under 65 for a 143.

It was the official ladies competitive tournament record, according to Southwoods club manager Tim Allen. Sharing the limelight was Carmi Kano of Capitol who made an ace on the 154-yard No. 7. She used a 5-wood XX10, ProV X ball in scoring her first hole-in-one in four years.

“I tried too hard in the first round so I decided to play a bit relaxed today,” said Gabasa, who combined talent and resolve, plus a dose of luck, that saw her save pars in four times that she went out of regulation while sinking putts from as far as 36 feet on No. 3.

“She’s good and lucky at the same time because all her putts kept coming in,” said flightmate and former two-time national champion Anya Tanpinco, who clipped Gabasa in the RP amateur final two years ago in Bacolod.

Rodriguez used a solid frontside to cushion the impact of her roller-coaster finish, turning in an eagle-aided two-under 70 to stay in the hunt.

 The tournament is sponsored by Capricho Jewelry, Baileys, Villamor Ladies Chapter, ABS-CBN, Butuan Doctor’s Hospital, Nike Park, AB Leisure Exponent Inc., Finishes First and Absolute.