Phl golfers struggle in Pinehurst tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo and Mia Piccio struggled in tough condition and carded identical 76s to fall seven shots off fancied Jaye Green of Florida at the start of the 110th Women’s North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 8 in North Carolina Monday.

Agojo made four bogeys in a birdie-less round while Piccio hit three birdies but fumbled with seven bogeys as the ICTSI-backed bets stood in joint 35th in a field of 117 battling for slots for the match play phase Thursday.

Green sizzled with a 69 to grab a one-stroke lead over Thai Moriya Jutanagarn and Kailey Walsh while four others turned in 71s at the start of the 54-hole stroke play qualifying round.

The other Filipina bets also groped for form with Lovelynn Guioguio making a 77 and Cyna Rodriguez and Dottie Ardina limping with a pair of 78th to lay just above the cutoff score at 55th.

Sarah Ababa skied to an 82 and fell way down in 91st place and will have to rebound in the next two rounds to salvage a spot in the knockout stage.

Guioguio made just one birdie against six bogeys for joint 44th, while Rodriguez gunned down two birdies but had six bogeys and a double bogey and Ardina failing to hit her stride and hobbled with six bogeys.

The field will play three rounds at Pinehurt’s No. 8 centennial course with the top 16 advancing to the match play phase to be played on Pinehurst No. 2.