Lovelynn Guioguio finally nailed the big one, beating fancied ICTSI teammate
Chihiro Ikeda by three shots despite a closing two-over 74 to capture the
Sarawak Amateur Open crown at the the Sarawak Golf Club Resort in Malaysia
Sunday.
Guioguio nearly lost a five-shot lead as she lost her rhythm off the tee with
two water-laced drives, enabling Ikeda to close to within one with five holes to
go. But she gained a decisive three-shot swing with a birdie on No. 14 which
Ikeda double-bogeyed from an errant drive and cruised to victory with a 220
aggregate.
“Iplayed tough and hung in there,” said Guioguio, who also came through with a
couple of clutch par-saving putts on Nos. 16 and 17 to hold off the charging
Ikeda and secure her first international victory.
The Fil-Japanese, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open and Thailand Ladies Open
champion, wound up with an even par 72 for a 223 while Jayvie Agojo failed to
sustain a solid 35 with a 40 and finished with a 75.
The former Phil Ladies Open winner, however, completed the ICTSI-backed bets’
domination of the event as she ended up tied for third at 227 with Malaysian Nur
Durriyay, who carded a 74.
“Lovelynn showed a big fighting heart and was able to check her skid. This win
should further boost her confidence heading to this week’s Malaysian Amateur,”
said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.
Sarah Ababa made a second straight 77 and wound up with a 234 while Sunshine
Baraquiel had an 82 for a 242.
Guioguio birdied No. 9 from five feet to save a 36 and keep a four-shot lead at
the turn as Ikeda shot a 35 with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4 against a bogey on the
second. But she hit wayward shots off the mound on Nos. 12 and 13, resulting to
bogeys and allowing Ikeda to close to within one.
But Ikeda pushed her drive into the water hazard on No. 14 and ended up with a
double-bogey, blowing her bid for another title abroad. PR
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