Rodriguez grabs two-shot lead in Penang Open

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez carded a two-under 70 and took a two-stroke lead over ICTSI-The Country Club teammate Dottie Ardina at the start of the 42nd Ladies Penang Amateur Open in Penang, Malaysia late Tuesday.

Rodriguez, seeking a follow-up to her playoff victory in the recent Hong Kong Amateur Open, hit three birdies to negate a lone-bogey mishap at the tough Bukit Jawa Lake Course and seize control of the 54-hole tournament, the first of three events lined up for the Filipina golfers in Malaysia.

Ardina, winner of Taiwan Amateurs and Cangolf Open, matched par 72, flubbing a couple of birdie putts from close range as she dropped into a tie with Daniella Uy.

Bianca Pagdanganan also put herself in early contention with a one-over 73 while Lovellyn Guioguio struggled with a three-over 75.

Sarah Ababa skied to a 77 while Jayvie Agojo, who sparked the ICTSI team’s win streak with a victory in the Santi Cup last Sept. in Indonesia, groped for form and stood too far off Rodriguez with a 78.

The ICTSI ladies are also set to vie in the Malacca Amateur Open on Nov. 16-18 and the Johor Amateur Open on Nov. 28-30.