Ikeda keeps 3-shot lead with even 69

BAGUIO , Philippines  —  Losing control of her game – and the lead – with shaky putting, Chihiro Ikeda recovered her touch in time to save an even-par 69 and restore a three-stroke cushion over amateur Chanelle Avaricio heading to the final round of the ICTSI Camp John Hay Ladies Championship here.

Awesome with her irons and putter in a solid first round 63 Wednesday, Ikeda struggled on John Hay’s tricky, undulating surface yesterday, fumbling with two bogeys (Nos. 2 and 3) and a double-bogey on an errant pitch on No. 5 and making the turn at four-over 39, enabling her pursuers to gain ground in hot conditions.

They included Avaricio, who overhauled a seven-stroke deficit in a flight ahead and tied the Fil-Japanese at two-under overall with three birdies for a 32 with at least five others, including Princess Superal and Daniella Uy.

But Ikeda regained her bearing and rhythm and birdied the first three holes at the back then added two more against a bogey to close out with a 30 in a big rebound that salvaged her a 69 for a 36-hole total of six-under 132.

“Just couldn’t get the feel of my putter early on. But I was able to regain my touch and rhythm back in time,” said Ikeda, now closer to scoring a follow-up to her playoff win over Pauline del Rosario at Tagaytay Midlands last May.

In contrast, Avaricio failed to sustain her hot frontside run as she yielded a stroke on the 10th although the Alabama State U product birdied Nos. 16 and 17, both par-5s, for the second straight day to shoot a 65 and assume the challenger’s role at 135.

“I gained confidence after a near-eagle on No. 1. My driving has been solid and I know where to put my ball on the greens,” said Avaricio, one of the five amateurs vying in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.