Ikeda annexes HK crown

MANILA, Philippines - Chihiro Ikeda picked up her sixth victory in the season as she ruled the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau International Amateur Open, thwarting ICTSI teammate Anya Tanpinco by one on a closing 73 at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau’s north course in Hong Kong recently.

Ikeda, who had a 72 and a 69 in the first two days, nearly blew a four-shot lead as she lost her putting touch but hung tough with clutch pars in the closing holes to hold off a charging Tanpinco and clinch the victory. She had a 214.

Tanpinco rallied with a two-under par 70 but ran out of holes and settled for runner-up honors with a 215 as the Filipino bets dominated the 54-hole championship.

Sarah Ababa, also a member of the ICTSI golf team, carded a 75 for a 227 as she finished joint fourth with local bet Stephanie Ho, who had a 74.

Hong Kong’s Tiffany China placed third with a 224 after a 74.

It was Ikeda’s sixth win in the year after the Fil-Japanese romped away with victories in the DHL Open, the Optimist International in Florida, the FCWT leg in the US, the Hong Kong Amateur Ladies Open and the Cangolf Am.