Golf: Playoff shootout looms in Philippine Ladies Open

The 50th Philippine Ladies Open's pivotal round proved to be beneficial to Korean Lee Jeong-hwa and local bet Princess Superal as a shootout between the protagonists loom in Friday's finale at the East course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. A splendid four-under-par 68 by Lee gave the 17-year-old a 142 total and a four-stroke advantage overall. Her new challenger was the petite but heady player in 14-year-old Superal, who submitted a three-under-par 69 card to be on second place with a 146. "I needed this kind of game. I can’t let Lee pull away with a very comfortable lead. It will be hard to mount any rally if I’m five shots or more behind," said Superal, who later in the day became the newest member of the ICTSI golf team. Lee's performance was reminiscent of her stint in the tournament's 48th edition at the Southwoods Legends. But, despite having a slim lead with few holes to go in 2009, eventual winner Louise Manalo's late surge proved too much for the Korean to handle. "Yeah, I remember what happened three years ago at Southwoods. Unlike that, though, I want to start off strong and overtake Lee in the early holes to ease the pressure," said Superal, a home study program student of Saint Francis of Assisi. Felicia Medalla made a move Thursday as she zoomed to third spot with 147 after a three-under 69. Her patience in playing either the East or West courses finally paid off. Jayvie Agojo, the 2005 champion, had a roller coaster round of two-over 74, to slide down to fourth at the moment on 149. She would have finished ahead of Superal but the one-time Ladies Open titlist lost momentum as she bogeyed two of the last three holes. "The wind blew hard towards the end of the round. That affected my game," Agojo said. Lovelyn Guioguio, the recent Philippine Amateur Open winner at Cangolf, was at 150 after a one-under 71. She was followed by the quartet of Andrea Unson (76), Claire Legaspi (74), and Thailand bets Savitree Thavong (74) and Supamas Sangchan (76) on 152. Sarah Ababa (74) and Sunshine Baraquiel (75) were joint 10th on 153s. Dottie Ardina, one of the favorites to win the crown, bombed out with an 82 for 162. — JVP/KG, GMA News