Uy flounders with 2nd 74, but makes WAPT golf cut

MANILA, Philippines – Daniella Uy stumbled in a frontside finish and ended up with a second straight 74 as she fell by six strokes off solo leader Julianne Alvarez halfway through the Mountain Ranch Championship in Fairfield Bay, Arizona Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).

Uy had hoped for a big windup after a par-game at the backside of the Mountain Ranch Golf Club as she recovered from a bogey on No. 1 with a birdie on the par-3 third hole. But after two pars, she made a couple of mishits that led to bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7 then missed a birdie chance on the par-5 eighth before holing out with another par.

With a 148 aggregate, the Filipina shotmaker slipped a spot down at joint 17th but now trails Alvarez by six after the Australian ace bucked a triple-bogey miscue on No. 11 and two bogeys with an eagle on No. 2 and three birdies to salvage a 72.

Counting her opening 70, Alvarez pooled a 142 and wrested a one-stroke lead over erstwhile co-leader Elise Bradley, who made two bogeys at the front for a 73 and a 143.

Sarah Rhee fired a 69 and fellow American Madison Luitweiler shot a 71 as they caught up with Bradley at second while Ginger Howard and Kaeli Jones, also both of the US, assembled 144s after a pair of 71s to make it a crowded leaderboard heading to the weekend play of the Women’s All Pro Tour leg.

Uy’s four-over total is just one stroke better than the cutoff score with the former Junior World champion out for a big rebound in the last 36 holes in an attempt to crash into the Top 10 in her first foray in the US.

She will also see action in next week’s Arkansas Open, together with former Philippine Ladies Open champion Abby Arevalo, with both players seeking to keep the crown won by Team ICTSI's Pauline del Rosario last year.