RP bet Ikeda nears title win in HK golf tilt

Chihiro Ikeda limped with a two-over-par 74 but still moved on the verge of pocketing the open division title in the Helene et Henri Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur and Mid Amateur Golf Championships 2009 at the Discovery Bay Golf Club in Hong Kong. Ikeda, who is getting ready to play in the Spirit Cup in Houston, now tallied 143 after a 69 in the first round. The ICTSI team member was five up from Hong Kong bet Kitty Tam (72-148) and six over another local bet Stephanie Ho (73-149). Prakasvudhisarn Tipanun, who was three down from Ikeda on opening day, tumbled to a share of sixth with a 10-over 82 for 154. Anya Tanpinco, also of ICTSI, shot a two-over 74 for 155 for ninth. Daniella Uy (79-161) and Marvi Monsalve (83-162) occupied 13th and 14th, respectively. As consolation, Tanpinco is already a sure winner in the Mid-Amateur Division I. She is way ahead of Thai Fiona Zimmerman followed up her 85 with an 82 for 147. China’s Wang Ai-ming was third with 80-168 and Filipina Eva Minoza was fourth with 85-173. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV