Ikeda, 3 other Pinays stay in hunt

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda wavered in the wind and closed out with a two-over par 74, dropping to second at the start of the 36-hole stroke play elims of the 109th PNGA (Pacific Northwest Golf Association) Women’s Amateur Championship at the Clarkston Golf and Country Club in Clarkston, Washington Monday.

Recovering from a two-over 38 at the front with birdies on Nos. 10 and 15, the top ICTSI bet lost her touch and missed the green on the next two holes for bogeys, enabling Rachel Morris of California to seize the lead with a 73.

Lovelyn Guioguio, riding the momentum of her solid stint in the US Women’s Amateur sectional qualifier she topped in Hawaii last week, also sputtered coming home, bogeying the last two holes for a 76 for joint third with local bet Chessey Thomas.

Reigning RP Ladies Open champion Cyna Rodriguez struggled with a seven-over 70 while Bambee de la Paz made an 80 as the four members of the ICTSI golf pool put themselves in contention for berths in the tournament proper of the annual event ruled by Dottie Ardina last year

Ardina, who beat Kendra Little, 5&4, to capture last year’s crown in Oregon, opted to compete in the Junior World in San Diego.

The top 32 players after the two-day stroke play elims will advance to the match play phase on Wednesday.