Bruces top ICTSI Ladies PGT elims

MANILA, Philippines - Nikki Bruce sustained her fine form and closed out with a second one-under 71 to top the 36-hole ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Qualifier at the South course of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna yesterday.

First day leader Sam Bruce wavered with a 75 after an impressive 70 but still completed a 1-2 finish for the young Bruces at 142 and 145, respectively, in the two-day elims for the ICTSI LPGT firing off May 15-17 at the nearby The Country Club.

Club bet Lina de Guzman hit two birdies but fumbled with five bogeys, including on three par-5s, to finish with a 75 and a 151 and made it to the circuit along with Del Monte’s Eva Miñoza and Jan Punzalan.

Miñoza carded two 38s for a 76 and 155 while Punzalan made two 41s for an 82 and a 156 in the event conducted by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The 15-year-old Nikki, who started the round a shot behind Sam, fell by two with a 37 at the turn but rallied with two birdies at the back for that 71 and a 142.

In contrast, the 12-year-old Sam hobbled with four bogeys in a five-hole stretch from No. 11 and holed out with a 39 for that 75 and a 145.

De Guzman went one-under after eight holes but dropped four strokes the rest of the way while Miñoza failed to get going after bogeying two of the first six holes although she birdied No. 15 from long range then closed out with three pars to salvage a 76.

De Guzman, Miñoza and Punzalan will thus join the other seeded players in the ICTSI LPGT, including former members of the ICTSI ladies team headed by Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo and Lovelynn Guioguio.

The sponsoring International Container Terminal Services, Inc. has lined up a five-stage circuit for the maiden season of the LPGT with each leg offering a total prize pot of P500,000 with the winner getting P100,000.

Also being eyed as venues are the Manila Southwoods, Wack Wack, Canlubang and Camp John Hay in Baguio.