Ababa sizzles with 69, trails by one

MANILA, Philippines - Sarah Ababa bounced back from a so-so stint in last week’s Women’s North and South Amateur Championship, shooting a three-under 69 to trail Abbey Newton by one at the start of the Women’s Trans National Golf Championship in Columbia, South Carolina Monday.

Ababa, who took an early exit at Pinehurst with rounds of 82 and 76, hit four birdies against a bogey to put herself in contention for medal honors in the 36-hole stroke elimination phase of the annual event featuring the world’s leading junior players.

The top ICTSI-backed bet shared second place with Breanna Elliott, just one stroke behind Newton, who showed the 94-player field with a solid four-under 68 at the Members Club at Woodcreek.

Princess Superal matched par 72 for joint ninth with Jessica Alexander while Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo both carded 74s as the ICTSI bets pressed their bid in the early going of the tournament for higher berths in the match play stage.

The top 64 players after two rounds will advance to the knockout phase.

Ardina, the best place Filipino at joint 23rd at Pinehurst, failed to get going but still salvaged a two-over card to tie Agojo, who reached the Last 16 stage here last year, and three others at 13th place.

Cyna Rodriguez, however, struggled with a 76 to drop to 24th while Lovelynn Guioguio continued to grope for form and hobbled with a 77 for joint 35th and Mia Piccio limping with an 80 for a share of 54th place with nine others.