Martirez clings to 1-shot lead in China Jr Open

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Martirez fumbled with a four-over 76 but held on to a one-stroke lead over a charging Tianya Wang of China in the second round of the HSBC China Junior Open at the Zhuhai Gulf Golf Course in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China yesterday.

Martirez atoned for her triple-bogey mishap on No. 14 in the first round with a birdie on the par-4 hole then added another six-footer on No. 16 to somehow cushion the impact of her poor round marred by two bogeys on Nos. 2 and 8 and double bogeys on Nos. 9 and 15.

Counting her opening 74, the top ICTSI-backed bet pooled a 150, just one shot ahead of Wang, who tamed the tough par 6353-yard layout with a one-under 71 and came out of nowhere to assume the challenger’s role at 151 in the premier 15-17 division.

Erstwhile second-running Tsujiuka Airi skied to an 80 and tumbled down to third at 155 heading to the final round of the 54-hole tournament kicking off Team ICTSI-Phl’s overseas campaign.

Yuka Saso, meanwhile, fought back from an opening 75 with a two-under 70 to move within two shots off Taiwanese Chingtzu Chen in the 13-14 section.

Saso could’ve actually tied for the lead after 36 holes but the Fil-Japanese bogeyed the last two holes and settled for a 33-37 card and a 145.

Chen fired a 71 for a 143 and kept a one-stroke lead over Chinese Mohan Du, who sizzled with the day’s best five-under 67 for a 144.

Sofia Chabon, the other Team ICTSI-Phl bet, made two birdies against three bogeys and carded a 73 and stood seven shots behind at 150.