ICTSI-Phl bets stay in hunt in WWGA tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Lovelynn Guioguio, Jayvie Agojo and Sarah Ababa carded identical even par 73s to share eighth place with two others at the start of the 36-hole stroke play elims in the Western Women’s Golf Association National Amateur Championship in Monroe, Michigan Monday.

Guioguio, who reached the quarterfinal stage in last year’s staging of the annual event in Florida, strung up a 36-37 card, Agojo blew a solid 35 start with a 38, while Ababa recovered with a 36 at the back of the par-73 Monroe Golf Club as the ICTSI-Philippine bets stayed in early contention for berths in the match play phase which starts Wednesday.

Mia Piccio carded a 74 while Dottie Ardina and Princess Superal turned in identical 75s and Cyna Rodriguez struggled with a 76 but remained in the hunt heading to the final 18 holes of the qualifying stage.

Ariya Jutanugarn, who beat Ardina in the finals of last year’s US Girls Juniors Championship, sizzled with a 32-34 card for a sterling seven-under 66 to zero in on the low medal honors.