Fortuna takes control with 65

CLARK Freeport Zone, Philippines — Mikha Fortuna outgunned Daniella Uy in the last nine holes, posting a brilliant seven-under 65 for a four-stroke lead at the start of the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship at Mimosa Plus’ Acacia Lakeview course here yesterday.

Fortuna sustained her four-birdie splurge in the first nine holes with three more feats at the back as she kept on producing superb approach shots that set up a number of birdie chances. She also pounced on Uy’s struggle while the latter tried to buck tough pin placements as she opened a commanding lead in the P1 million, 54-hole tournament put up by ICTSI.

Fortuna battled Uy shot-for-shot and putt-for-putt in the early going, hinting at a day-long shootout between two of the fancied players in the fold. After the former birdied the opening hole, Uy matched her rival’s birdie runs on Nos. 2, 5 and 9.

But as Fortuna fired birdies on Nos. 11, 13 and 16, Uy failed to equalize, settling for a run of pars and a 69.

Korean Seoyun Kim eagled the par-5 No. 5 and hit two birdies to highlight a 70 for third spot.