Uy falters with 73 in 2nd round, but expands lead to 4 strokes
DANIELLA UY checked an impending backside slide with a blazing four-birdie splurge in the last eight holes to save a 73 and double her overnight two-shot lead this time over archrival Harmie Constantino heading to the final 18 holes of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Villamor Philippine Masters yesterday.
It was a stirring rebound for the former Junior World champion, who started the round two shots clear of Chihiro Ikeda and Marvi Monsalve but looked headed for an early foldup that has marred her drive for a second crown in two of the first four Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) events this year.
Uy’s three bogeys at the front and a double mishap on the par-4 10th led to a crowded leaderboard although Korean Seoyun Kim, Harmie Constantino, Ikeda and Monsalve all failed to
really cash in on to
dislodge the erstwhile leader.
Instead, Uy struck back with a birdie on No. 11 then built on the momentum to gain clutch strokes on Nos. 13, 14 and 16 for a 39-34.
With a 143 total, Uy found herself ahead by four with Constantino taking the challenger’s role again at 147 after a 72 and
Kim staying on course for a breakthrough win with a 148 after a second straight 74.
“I struggled at the front, mahirap ang pin placements,” Uy said. “But I had three long putts for birdies at the back.”
Monsalve, who also fumbled with a frontside 39, made three bogeys in the first six holes at the back but birdied the last hole for a 77 for fourth at 149.
Ikeda kept Uy within sight despite a frontside 39 but fell to fifth with a second 39 marred by three straight mishaps from No. 14, her 78 dropping her seven shots off the leader with a 150.
Gretchen Villacencio carded a second 76 for a 152 while Sarah Ababa also matched her first round 77 for a 154 followed by Lucy Landicho, who likewise
shot a second straight 78 for a 156 even as Mafy Singson fought back from a first round 84 with a 73 to seize solo eighth at 157 and boost her bid for another low amateur honors in the 54-hole championship put up by ICTSI.