J-Ro makes move but Ikeda falters

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time LPGA winner Jennifer Rosales turned in a two-under 70 to move within two off the pace but erstwhile joint leader Chihiro Ikeda fumbled with a 74 and dropped three shots off new leader Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai in the second round of the Thailand Open at the Lakewood Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand late Thursday.

Rosales, who launched her campaign on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour with a 71 Wednesday, flashed vintage form and gunned down four birdies against a bogey but missed closing in on the defending champion Kongkiatkrai with a last-hole bogey on poor club selection on No. 9.

Still, her 35-35 round and a 36-hole aggregate of three-under 141 kept her within sight of the Thai ace, who surged ahead with a 139 after a similar 70.

“I was playing well but was a little undecided on the choice of clubs on the last hole as the wind kept coming and going,” said Rosales, a five-time Philippine Ladies Open champion.

Ikeda, who forced a four-way tie for the first round lead with a 68 in an impressive pro debut, failed to sustain her charge and hobbled with four bogeys against two birdies. She, however, made a pair of clutch par putts to save a 74 for a 142.

Dottie Ardina rebounded with a 71 after a 73 as the top ICTSI-backed bet tied Thai Pinrath Loomboonruang, who made a 73, at even 144, setting the stage for a fierce duel for low amateur honors in the event serving as the third leg of the LAGT.

Kongkiatkrai birdied two of the last three holes to seize a one-stroke lead over Koreans Kim Su Yeon and Lee Eun Kyoung, who shot 70 and 72, respectively, for 140s while Japan’s Miho Mori fired the day’s best of 67 to tie Rosales and Patcharachuta Kongkapan, who matched par 72, at fourth place.