Ikeda, 3 others gain match play; Ardina, Agojo out

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda matched par 71 and safely made it to the match play phase of the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the Rhode Island Country Club in Rhode Island Monday.

Cyna Rodriguez, Andie Unson and Sarah Ababa also advanced to the knockout stage of the premier event but Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo failed to make the 64-player cut with a pair of three-over 74s.

Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion and spearhead of the ICTSI-backed squad, hit two birdies against the same number of bogeys to emerge the top Filipina finisher at joint 18th with Unson with a 143.

But the reigning Thailand, Johor and Royal Selangor Open champion drew Ababa as her first round opponent in match play Wednesday.

Ababa shot a second straight 73 for a 146.

Unson, who with Rodriguez turned in similar 70s in the first round of the 36-hole stroke play elims among 156 entries, slowed down with a 73 and set up a duel with Julie Yang.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, carded a 74 and wound up joint 27th. She faces Amy Anderson in the first round of the knockout stage.

Ji Hee Kim of Korea shot a one-under 70 to win the low medal honors with a 136, nipping New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who sizzled with a 66, in the countback.

Ardina, meanwhile, failed to recover from a first round score of 77, finishing with a 151 after a 74, for a share of 80th, while Agojo ended up joint 69th after a 74 and a 150.