Late charge gives RP ladies runner-up finish in Santi Cup

CHIANGRAI, Thailand — After a rocky three days, the Philippines turned in its best performance to complete a runner-up finish in the inaugural Santi Cup held at the Santiburi Country Club. The Santi Cup is a tournament for ladies staged as part of the 49th Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championship, also called Putra Cup. Dottie Ardina, Chihiro Ikeda and Anya Tanpinco each scored a one-over-par 73 to pool a 219 on Friday and a 72-hole haul of 894. Fourth member Louise Manalo’s eight-over 79 did not count in the country’s team score under the four-to-play, three-to-count format. As expected, Thailand, which was backed by individual winner Jauruporn Palakawong and Junior World champion Moriya Jutanugarn, shot steadily on home course with a one-under 215 for 864. Still, it was a good showing by the lady members of the ICTSI team, who overtook Hong Kong (223-903) which dropped to third place. “The Thais were really good this week but I commend the girls for playing their hearts out for the country’s pride," national coach Bong Lopez said to GMANews.TV. Ardina, whose last victory was the 108th PNGA Women’s Amateur Championship, almost birdied the opening hole but missed a 12-footer. The 15-year-old got back the birdie on the next from 13 feet. However, she bogeyed three times with only one birdie from thereon. “There were a lot of missed birdie opportunities. My putting didn’t click at all. It was a good thing I saved par on most of them," Ardina said. Ikeda started strong with birdies on Nos. 1, 2 and 7 but was slowed down considerably with a string of three bogeys from the seventh. She ended the day with consecutive birdies on Nos. 17 and 18. In the third Lion City Cup, the tournament for junior golfers, the Philippines ended at fifth place with a 225-912, 35 strokes back from champion Thailand, which pooled in a 212-877. Singapore was second with a 219-291. Miguel Tabuena paced RP with an even 72 followed by Jobim Carlos’ 76 and the 77 of Filipino-Briton Edward Reyes. Chepe Dulay bombed out with a 78. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV