Ababa seizes Philippine Amateur Open lead

CANLUBANG—Sarah Jane Ababa came through with a hard-earned even par 72 despite a closing bogey on the last hole to seize the lead against Lovelyn Guioguio after the second round of women’s play in the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championship at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club’s demanding and tough North course.  

Ababa started out strong with birdies on Nos. 10, 12 and 15 that negated a bogey on the 11th. However, she slowed down with three bogeys as against a birdie coming home. Together with her 75 in the first round, she now tallied 147 in the 54-hole championship organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). "I’m happy to have the lead. I got good breaks in the morning nine and that got me going,” said Ababa, whose victory last year happened in the 100 Plus Junior Championship in Malaysia.

Guioguio, the opening day leader after a 72, finished with a four-over-par 76 for 148. She muffed a seven-foot putt for birdie on No. 9 which could have tied her with Ababa. Before that, she dropped two shots on No. 3 and plus three more on Nos. 4, 6 and 8.

 

"I did not finish strong. Five over in the last six holes was just terrible,” Guioguio said.

Dottie Ardina slid down to third with 150 after a 76 while Jayvie Agojo carded a 73 for 151 moved up to fourth in  tie with Princess Superal (75). Andrea Unson, the defending champion, struggled with her putting for a 78 and 153.

In the men’s side, Jobim Carlos and Singaporean Gregory Foo matched par with three-under 69s to remain tied for the lead at 139. Foo's teammate Jerome Ng (71) and Clyde Mondilla (74) shared third spot with 144s. At joint fifth are Miko Alejandro (72) and Korean Choi Jae-seung (73). — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News