Go, Constantino match 69s in Thal LPGA Q-School opener

MANILA, Philippines – Lois Kaye Go proved she’s ripe for the picking — at least after the first round of the Thailand Ladies PGA Qualifying School at the Watermill Golf Club and Resort in Nakhon Nayok — as she fired a three-under 69 despite a late start Wednesdayy to tie fellow Filipina Harmie Constantino and four other locals at seventh.

She underscored her readiness to go big-time early, racking up four straight birdies from No. 14 in a flourishing backside start although she stumbled in a frontside finish that foiled her bid for a higher placing after 18 holes of the three-day elims.

The former national team standout birdied No. 2 to stir up chase for the lead but bogeyed Nos. 5 and 8 and slipped from second to a share of seventh, five strokes behind early pacesetter Thai amateur Achiraya Sriwong.

One hundred and third nine bidders are vying in the tournament where the Top 60 after 36 holes will advance to the final round. The top 20 will then gain Category 8/Priority List status while the rest will play in Category 9 and 10 events of one of the region’s premier ladies pro tours.

Unlike Go, Constantino, who marked her pro career with two victories on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in 2021, leaned on a strong finish to get into contention, birdying Nos. 6 and 9 for a 35-34. Like the Cebuana shotmaker, Constantino sizzled with three birdies in the first six holes at the back but reeled back with bogeys on Nos. 18 and 3.

Sriwong, meanwhile, gunned down 10 birdies to negate a back-to-back bogey mishap from No. 1 as she opened a four-shot lead over five others, including fellow amateur Pattharat Rattanawan.

Chanelle Avaricio, on the other hand, shot four birdies but hobbled with a bogey and a double bogey to settle for a 71 for a share of 17th with six others, while Lizbeth Alcantara fumbled with a 75 for joint 51st.

However, two other Pinays, who were also booked in the afternoon group, stood on the brink with high scores as Marvi Monsalve shot herself in the foot with a 77 for a share of 76th and Gretchen Villacencio skied to a 78 for tied 87th.