Ikeda wavers; RP barely moves up

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda blew a two-under card with two bogeys in the last four holes as the Philippines hardly improved to eighth with a 146 after two rounds of the 32nd Queen Sirikit Cup still paced by New Zealand at the Hamilton Golf Club in New Zealand Wednesday.

Ikeda, who had a so-so 76 on the first day of the 54-hole championship, looked headed for a big rebound from an opening hole bogey with birdies on Nos. 3, 4 and 8. But after a slew of pars, including two rescued from the bunkers, she fumbled with bogeys on Nos. 15 and 17 and settled for a 72.

With ICTSI teammate Lovelyn Guioguio making up from her earlier 78 with a 74, the Philippines strung up a 146 but barely moved from ninth to eighth with a 298 but fell 16 shots behind New Zealand heading into the final round of the annual, three-to-play, two-to-count format event which drew 12 teams from the Asia-Pacific region.

Irina Gabasa, who counted for Team RP, in the first round with a 76, failed to score this time with a 77.

The hosts zeroed in on the crown with a second straight 141 for a 282, posting a two-stroke lead over the four-peat seeking South Korea, which also turned in another 142 for a 284. Australia remained in the hunt with a 286 after a 141.

Thailand, which shared second place with Korea in the first round, slid to fourth with a 288 after a 146 followed by China (142-292), Japan (146-295) and Taiwan (146-297).

Hyo Joo Kim of Korea shot a 69 for a 141 to grab the lead in the individual competition. Thai Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, whom Ikeda beat for the gold in the last SEA Games in Laos, limped with a 73 and dropped into a tie for second at 143 with New Zealand’s Cecilio Cho, who fired a 71.

Ikeda, 18, stood seven strokes behind at 148.

The team’s campaign is sanctioned by the Women’s Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by ICTSI.