CANLUBANG – Thailand’s Renuka Suksukont birdied four of the last five holes for a two-under 70 and four-shot lead going into the final round of the ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters yesterday at The Country Club here.
Suksukont’s brilliant finish gave her a two-day total of 139, five-under in the 54-hole tournament for a four-stroke lead over Filipino-Japanese Chihiro Ikeda, and Thais Chonlada Chayanun and Wanchana Poruangrong.
It was another up-and-down performance for the native of Pathum Thani as Suksukont birdied her first hole on 10 after starting at the back nine to move at four-under.
The 22-year-old Suksukont, however, bogeyed three of the next four holes – 18, 1 and 3 – that stymied her charge.
But Suksukont regained her focus and birdied holes No. 5, 7, 8 and 9.
“I’m just glad that I made my putts, especially in the last three holes,” said Suksukont, who will be shooting for her first international title outside of Thailand where she won two.
The 26 year-old Ikeda, who likewise began the second round at the back nine, started hot as she birdied the14th, 17th, 2nd and 3rd that allowed her to move to three-under for a two-shot lead on Suksukont.
But bogeys on 6th and 7th dropped Ikeda at one-under.
Four players are at 140, including Taiwanese amateur Hung Jo-Hua and Wu Yi-Ching, Korean amateur Hwang Min Jeong and China’s Liu Yan, while tied for ninth to 11 are Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-Ling and Lee Tai-Ling, and China’s Zhang Jienalin at 141.
Pauline del Rosario carded another 74 for a 148, tied with Taiwan’s Huang Cing, Thailand’s Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and Ananya Vitayokonkomol, China’s Luo Ying and Fil-Japanese amateur Yuka Saso, who had a 77 in a round that featured six bogeys, a double bogey and three birdies after a 71 in the first round.
