Cyna, Jayvie step up WWGA match play bids

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez shot a one-under 70 while Jayvie Agojo matched par 71 as the former Philippine Ladies Open champions stayed on course for the match play berths in the Women’s Western Golf Association Championship at the Sawgrass Country Club in Florida Tuesday.

Rodriguez, an incoming junior at the Univ. of Southern California, overcame a bogey-bogey start with three birdies inside 10 feet in the next seven holes, finishing with a 35-35 round at the par-71, 6,162-yard layout at the Ponte Vedra Beach.

That put the top ICTSI-backed bet in joint second with Florida’s Meghan Stasi and Victoria Trapani, four shots behind another local bet Victoria Tanco, who sizzled with a 66 at the start of the 36-hole stroke play qualifier.

Agojo, a graduate at Pepperdine U, hit just two greens in regulation at the front but leaned on her superb short game to salvage a 37-34 card on a two-birdie, two-bogey stint for joint fifth.

“Cyna and Jayvie played solid despite a shaky start. Cyna putted very well, making just 27 putts, and Jayvie was impressive with her recoveries in the first nine holes,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

Over in California, Andie Unson strung up nines of 36-38. Including two birdies against three bogeys, for a one-over par 74 at the par-73 Madera Golf and Country Club to finish joint sixth and clinch a spot in the US Girls’ Juniors Championship slated July 18-23 at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia, Illinois.

Four other ICTSI-backed bets remained in contention for slots in the match play phase in the WWGA tilt with Sunshine Baraquiel carding a 76 for joint 33rd, Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of the recent Sarawak Am Open, and Daniella Uy turning in identical 78s for a share of 41st and Sarah Ababa in joint 51st despite a so-so 79.

The top 64 players from the starting field of 136 will advance to the knockout stage of the event which Dottie Ardina failed to annex after settling for runner-up finishes in the last two years.