Sirikit Cup: Ikeda-led RP girls 11 strokes off pace-setting New Zealand

The Philippines fell behind by 11 strokes off pace-setting New Zealand in the opening round of the 32nd Queen Sirikit Cup held at the Hamilton Golf Club in Hamilton, New Zealand. Filipina-Japanese Chihiro Ikeda of ICTSI and Cebuana Irina Gabasa stumbled with four-over-par 76 each for a combined 152 score for Team RP. Third player Lovelyn Guioguio skied to six-over-par 78 and did not matter in the three-to-play, two-to-count format. Ikeda, the reigning Southeast Asian Games women’s titlist, Gabasa and Guioguio all failed to fare well with their putters against the super-sleek putting surface of the par-72 Hamilton course that left the Philippine team in ninth place of the 12-nation field. Ikeda and Gabasa were in joint 17th with seven others at 76 with the duo expected to settle down in the second round and bounce back with solid games to at least put the team back in contention for a Top 5 finish heading into the final round. The Kiwis, the hosts this year, flashed their familiarity with the layout and assembled a three-under 141 to post a one-shot lead over defending three-time champion South Korea and Thailand, which both had 142s. Zoe Brake, 18, fired a three under 69 while 15-year-old Cecilia Cho matched par 72 for New Zealand’s 141 as 12-year-old Lydia Ko failed to count with a 76. Australia had a 145 followed by Singapore 147, Japan 149, China 150, Chinese Taipei 151. Hong Kong pooled a 153 while India and Malaysia had 159 and 160, respectively. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV