Korean amateur steals show, snares John Hay crown

BAGUIO – Amateur Lee Ji Hyeon put on a strong start to get into the mix then held sway in a scrambling finish to humble Thai Waralee Atcharerk and Chakansim Khamborn and snare the ICTSI Camp John Hay Ladies Championship crown by two on a closing four-under 65 here yesterday.

Lee caught up the Thai leaders with a blazing 31 start, spiked by three straight closing birdies at the John Hay layout, then proved steadier than her pro rivals in a pressure-packed stretch-run battle, rebounding from a bogey on No. 13 with two birdies in the next three to regain control.

Not even a bogey on the last hole could stymie Lee’s breakthrough drive as the young Korean, whose previous best was second to Chihiro Ikeda at Eagle Ridge last February, secured the crown on a 54-hole total of five-under 202 in the P1.5 million event put up by ICTSI.

Khamborn, tied with compatriot Chommapat Pongthanarak and two-up on Lee after 36 holes, kept the Korean in check in a flight behind with a 33 at the turn but fumbled with two bogeys in a birdie-less backside finish, dropping to joint second with Atcharerk at 204 after a 69.

Atcharerk, who shared the first round lead with five others Wednesday, also stayed in the hunt with a 33 but wavered at the back with two bogeys against a birdie for a 68.

The Thais later split the combined top two purses and took home P267,000 each with Lee taking the crown and the honors of matching Asian Games gold medalist Yuka Saso’s feat at ICTSI Ayala Greenfield Ladies Challenge last January.

She also became the second Korean amateur to win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour after Hwang Min Jeong toppled the pro field at Mt. Malarayat in 2015.

Onkanok Soisuwan matched Lee’s 65 and snatch fourth place at 205 worth P125,000.