Ikeda-led RP ladies team shadows champ Thailand

VIENTIANE, Laos — Thailand looked sharp and ready to defend its title but Team Philippines was not about to give it away that easily as the Filipina par-busters shot their way into contention at the start of women’s golf competition in the 2009 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Booyoung SEAG Golf Club in the Xaythany District. As expected, the Thai ladies grabbed the lead with a combined 142, thanks to the huge game by Yupaporn Kawinkaporn, who toured the long 7,110-yard Booyoung course with precision en route to a three-under-par 69. Teammates Thidapa and Pinrath contributed 73 and 74, respectively, in the Thai’s bid for a second consecutive crown to open a four-stroke lead over the Philippines. Filipino-Japanese Chihiro Ikeda’s one-under-par 71 paced the RP bets while Maria Imelda Piccio carded a thre -over-par 75 for a 146 total. Dottie Ardina, one of the best players in the fold, managed a six-over-par 78 but her score was not included in the three-to-play, two-to-count format. "The girls did not play their usual rounds. I believe they are capable of doing more than what they did. They’ll make a comeback in the second round, that I can assure," said a confident coach Bong Lopez. Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Amateur champion, birdied the first hole from about six feet and the 17th from two feet. She three-putted No. 15 for her only bogey for the day. "I had no problem in getting to the greens. It was just that I could properly read the slopes," said Ikeda, 18, who chose to get advice from her caddy. The 18-year-old Piccio, who is on her freshman year at the University of Florida, made simple birdies on Nos. 9 and 13 from within eight feet but her bogeys on Nos. 1, 7 and 15 and double bogey on No. 2 did the most damage. Starting at the back nine, Ardina, who just turned 16 last week, was on her way to a decent round as she shot just one-over in 10 holes. But she cannot connect on a lot of par-putt saves in the final eight. Veteran international player Yupaporn was superb all day taming the Booyoung’s hard greens with crisp putting. With her 69, she led in the individual play, two-up over Ikeda. "I knew I had to score well because there are many good golfers around. My teammates were off today so I am thankful for my 69," Yupaporn said. After Thailand and the Philippines, third in the running were the Malaysians, who assembled 148. The beauteous Kelly Tan was at the forefront with a level 72, Johani Ainil Abu Bakar had a 76 and Michelle Koh added a 77. Indonesia was fourth with 153, followed by Myanmar (155), host Laos (164) and Vietnam (167) in the seven-nation duel for the gold. In the men’s division, the RP golfers dropped to solo fourth place even as Thailand climbed to the top midway through the 72-hole event also held at Booyoung. Jhonel Ababa starred with a sizzling three-under-par 69 for the Philippines, which now tallied 429, 11 down from the Thais and nine from second-running Singapore. Judson Eustaquio, the late entry in the cast, finally counted with a two-under 70 while Mhark Fernando came through with a three-over 75. Antonio Asistio II, the fourth man, carded a 76. "We were outclassed by the Thais and Singaporeans. Even the guys of Myanmar have a better round than us. That cannot hold especially in the SEA Games," said head coach Tommy Manotoc. Thailand produced a day-best 204 to be at 418 as it took a two-shot advantage against erstwhile leader Singapore. Myanmar pooled in 212 for 426. Thanyakon Khrongpha (67) and Wassin Sripattranusorn (68) put on an incredible show of precise shots from the tees to greens. Pawin Ingkhapradit (69) was the third player to score subpar that typifies the Thai’s strength and depth. Singapore’s 209 came from Jonathan Leong’s 68, Jonathan Woo’s 70 and Johnson Poh’s 71. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV