Golf: Filipina duo shoot over par after round one of Taiwan Championship

Jennifer Rosales and Jayvie Agojo of the Philippines shot a two-over-par 74 and a four-over-par 78, respectively, in the first round of the Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship held at the rolling Sunrise Golf and Country Club course in Taiwan. Two-time LPGA winner Rosales was at even par after 15 holes, but consecutive bogeys on numbers 16 and 17 led to her finishing at 74, nine strokes from current leader Inbee Park of Korea, who sizzled with a seven-under-par 65. Agojo, playing after topping the regional qualifier late last month at the same Sunrise layout, turned to her short game in her first stint in a regular LPGA tournament, which features a field in the top 68 in the Order of Merit. The ICTSI-The Country Club bet had several par-saving putts, especially on very long holes, on a day when she hit only four greens in regulation. She's aching to come back stronger and make it through the weekend cut. “She's played the course before so it will be a matter of settling down and creating birdie chances. She has a full 18 to do the job,” said ICTSI-TCC assistant coach Carmelette Villaroman. Park drilled in seven birdies overall for a two-shot edge off defending champion and local hero Yani Tseng (67). Four players stood in joint third with 68, including Americans Danielle Kang and Nicole Castrale, Korean Hee Young Park and Thailand’s Pormanong Phatlum. American Paula Creamer and Suzann Petersen of Norway shot identical 69s for a share of seventh with Lizette Salas of the US and Korean Chella Choi. - AMD, GMA News