Taiwan Amateur Golf: Guioguio jumps into title contention

Lovelynn Guioguio rebounded with a one-under-par 71 to jump from seventh to third and trail new leader Thidapa Suwannapura of Thailand by two shots in the Taiwan Amateur Golf Championship at the Sunrise Golf Club in Taoyuan County, Taiwan.

Guioguio, who was tied at seventh with come-backing Jayvie Agojo in the first round, carried a two-over 146 total and now a threat on the title bid of Suwannapura, who carded a consecutive even 72 for a 144 aggregate. "This is a good score considering the tough, hilly fairways of the course," Guioguio said. Suwannapura, who dislodged compatriot Yupaporn Kawinpakorn for the lead, holds a one-stroke advantage against Taiwanese Hsuan Yu Yao, who had a 145 after a 72. Filipina-Japanese Chihiro Ikeda also moved up the standings with a one-over 73 for 150 followed by the 72-151 of Dottie Ardina. Sarah Jane Ababa had a 75-155. Agojo, the Pepperdine University graduate, struggled to a 12-over 84 for 159, feeling the jitters of her return after several months of inactivity. "I'll try to finish inside the top five," she said. In men's play, Peter Villaber lay nine strokes behind Chien Yao Hung with a 72 and a 146 as the Taiwanese sustained his form and shot a 68 for a 135 and a five-shot lead over Japan’s Satoshi Kodiara, who had a 70 for a 140. Sonny Villaber had a 74 or a 150 while Zanie Gialon made a 75 for a 152. – JVP, Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV