Go moves 2-up despite late mishap in ICTSI Palos Verdes tilt

DAVAO – Lois Kaye Go extended her lead to two strokes over Chihiro Ikeda despite conceding two precious shots on the last hole, posting a 71 and positioning herself on the brink of a breakthrough victory in the ICTSI Palos Verdes Championship here Wednesday.

Maintaining her focus through another scorching day at the Rancho Palos Verdes course, Go seemed poised to build a commanding lead with a two-under card after 17 holes. But she yielded a stroke on the par-4 No. 18, which Ikeda birdied from 16 feet, settling for a two-shot advantage at 143.

Ikeda produced a two-birdie, two-bogey round for a 72, keeping her position at second with a 145, while young Laurea Duque grabbed solo third at 147, also after matching par 72, as the challenging conditions, compounded by the gusts on some holes, saw erstwhile contenders struggle to sustain their momentum.

Despite securing a two-shot cushion, Go remained cautiously optimistic about her chances, acknowledging the presence of formidable rivals.

“There are great players out there and anyone can shoot a good round tomorrow,” she said.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and sticking to her game plan, Go expressed her determination to alleviate the mounting pressure of the final 18 holes of the P750,000 championship.

“I’m trying to focus on myself, how I handle my emotions,” said Go, eager to redeem herself after a disappointing 10th place finish in her pro debut in the Apo Golf Classic last week.

“My goal is to be at peace with myself, where I am in my game, and try to commit to my swing changes and swing thoughts,” said Go, reflecting on her performance over the past two days.

Ikeda, a former Order of Merit winner, aims to snap a long title drought on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour. Her last-hole heroics, coupled with Go’s slip-up, set the stage for an intense final round showdown.

Meanwhile, Duque, buoyed by her late birdie on No. 16, remains hopeful of clinching the championship.

“Both LK and Chihiro are really good players. I just want to play my game and see what happens,” said Duque, who placed sixth in Apo. “This is only my second professional event, if it comes, then I would be very thankful.”

Apo leg winner Sarah Ababa blew a two-under card after four holes as she faltered with four bogeys against another birdie in the next 10 holes, finishing with a 73 for joint fourth with Harmie Constantino, who also carded a one-over card at 148, five strokes off the leader.

Florence Bisera struggled with a 75 for a 149 while Miya Legaspi fought back with a 73 to tie Marvi Monsalve and Mikha Fortuna, who slipped with 75 and 76, respectively, at 150.

Mafy Singson recovered from a disastrous first round 83 with a 71 to improve to 11th place with 154, behind 10th-running Gretchen Villacencio, who assembled a 151 after a 75.