Pinay golfers strike in Women's Trans Amateur Championship

The crack six-player squad from the Philippines came away with a three-title romp at the close of the 36-hole stroke play event of the 80th Women's Trans Amateur Championship held at The Country Club of Lincoln in Nebraska. Mia Piccio, 18, produced a two-under-par 70 at The Country Club of Lincoln. She was awarded the low medal honors after she topped with a 143 aggregate. With it, she'll get the No. 1 seed in the match play phase beginning Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Three of Piccio's teammates were superb as they finished in the next three places. In fact, the team swept all the awards in the stroke play. Pre-event favorite Dottie Ardina leveled with a 72 for 144 and was the runner-up overall. Although she was second to Piccio, the 16-year-old Ardina still received the title in the junior division in her age bracket. Chihiro Ikeda, who made a one-under 71 Tuesday, wound up with a 74 for 145. Joining her in third place was Cyna Rodriguez, who made an even 72 to go with 73 a day earlier. The combined 576 of Piccio, Ardina, Ikeda and Rodriguez was the winning total for the tiara in the team event. "The girls are so determined to win. I'm really happy they dished out the kind of games I expect them to play every time," said national team coach Bong Lopez. Also making it to the cut were Lovelyn Guioguio (77-154) for 26th and Bambee dela Paz (77-160) for 52nd. A total of 64 players will battle it out in the next round. Piccio faces Hannah Collier in the early morning. Ardina tests the mettle of Samantha Postillion, and Ikeda duels with Sofia Toccafondi. Rodriguez takes on Sarah Faller, Dela Paz meets Madeleine Shiels and Guioguio squares off with Devon Brown. - RCJ/Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV