Agojo grabs opening round lead in Southern Ladies

MURCIA, Bacolod – The returning Jayvie Agojo buried a six-foot birdie putt in the final hole to post a two-under-par 68 worth 56 points in the Molave scoring to pace the first round of the 48th Southern Ladies Golf Championship at the par-70, tree-lined Binitin course of the Bacolod Golf and Country Club. The 24-year-old Agojo carded three birdies overall as against one bogey on No. 3, as she opened with a three-stroke advantage over the 53s of Philippine Ladies Open champion Chihiro Ikeda and Sarah Jane Ababa. Reigning titlist Dottie Ardina struggled for 50 markers, a four-over-par 74 in regulation. The soft-spoken Agojo took advantage of the absence of the strong winds that were present during the practice rounds. And although it rained sporadically on Thursday, it didn't deter her from dishing out the day's only under-par score. "It was not too windy and I made full use of it. Hopefully, it won't blow as hard in the next two rounds," said Agojo, who in 2005 won the Southern Ladies, the PHL Ladies Open and DHL Amateur Open events. Agojo, however, can't afford to be be complacent, since title favorite Ikeda, who had three birdies and four bogeys overall, promised to rebound on Friday. "I missed on a lot of birdie chances in the first few holes. That got me off-tracked for most part of the day," Ikeda said. Worse was Ardina, who is aiming to keep the title she won in last year's edition in Iloilo City. She's off-form and did not hole out a single birdie. "It wasn't my day. Hit some bad shots (Thursday). I'll be ready (on Friday)," she said. The Country Club Invitational low amateur winner Andrea Unson rallied with a good two-under in the back side after a four-over at the turn to finish with 52. She was tied for fourth with Lovelynn Guioguio in the 54-hole tournament organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). Sunshine Baraquiel also scored 50 points while Kristine Leonen and Pamela Mariano turned in identical 48 points. Cara Golez had 47 points and Eva Minoza and Gaby Monfort carded a 46 and a 42, respectively. Meanwhile, Arianne Salvador paced Class B with 44 points while Ana Luisa Mendoza shot 37 points to lead in Class C. – Adrian Flores, JVP, KY, GMANews.TV