Jayvie, Cyna enter Aussie quarterfinal

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo and Cyna Rodriguez pulled off a pair of tough victories to crash into the quarterfinal round of the Western Australia Women’s State Amateur at the Royal Fremantle Golf Club in Fremantle, Western Australia Friday.

Agojo, who finished fifth in the 36-hole stroke play elims, proved steadier than local bet Claudia Pisano in a tight finish, rolling in a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th to eke out a 1-up victory.

Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, nearly blew a two-up lead after No. 12 but the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet held on to buck Ebony Heard with clutch par putts in the closing holes to hack a similar 1-up win.

“It was a pair of tough wins and Jayvie and Cyna need to play tougher against fancied rivals in the quarters,” said ICTSI coach Nestor Mendoza.

Rodriguez took Nos. 10 and 12 to seize control but needed to toughen up in the closing holes after Heard came through with a pitch-in birdie on the 16th.

Agojo and Rodriguez shoot for spots in the Final Four against Nadine Smith and Hannah Green, respectively, with the former taking on the fourth seeded bet, who routed Jen Goh, 5 and 4, in the upper half of the draw.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, clashes with No. 2 Hannah Green, who defeated Kate Goddard, 6 and 4.

Top seed defending champion Minjee Lee also cruised to the quarters with a 10 and 8 romp over Jessica Whitting.