Agojo moves past Ardina with 70

MANILA, Philippines - Jayvie Agojo used a brilliant start to shoot a two-under 70 and wrest a one-stroke lead as ICTSI teammate Dottie Ardina fumbled with a 75 in the second round of the Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship in Fanling late Wednesday.

Agojo, the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, birdied the first three holes in stirring fashion and went five-under with back-to-back birdies from No. 10. But she wavered with three bogeys in the last five holes for that 70.

Together with her opening 74, Agojo pooled a 144, one stroke ahead of Ardina, who struggled with her iron game and hobbled with a 75 after a 70 for a 145.

Peng Chieh of Chinese Taipei stayed in the hunt at 146 despite a 76 while Hong Kong’s Kitty Tam also limped with a 76 on a tough day at the tight par-72 layout.

Thai Pavarissa Yoktuan matched par 72 but stood five strokes off Agojo with a 149 in a tie with local bet Tiffany Chan, who had a 74.

Pinrath Loombunruang, the Thai ace who nipped Ardina by one for the individual honors in the recent Santi Cup, continued to struggle and carded a second straight 75 for a 150.

“Jayvie played a solid all-around game. She hit and putted very well except for Nos. 14, 16 and 18 where she seemed to have slowed down while trying to protect her score,” said ICTSI golf team coach Carmelette Villaroman.

Agojo is seeking to end a long title-drought but standing in her way is Ardina, who is coming off a title romp in last week’s Malaysian Junior Open, in what could be a day-long shootout in the last 18 holes.

Agojo, 25, also virtually wrapped up the Mid-Amateur Division crown, her 144 put her 18 shots ahead of Hong Kong’s Jane Lo, who had a second 81 for a `162 while another local bet Sarah Henderson stood at 169 after an 85.

Lovelynn Guioguio made a 74 for a 151 in the Open class while Sunshine Baraquiel had an 81 for a 163.