Korean edges Ikeda for second crown

LIPA City, Batangas – Young Hwang Min-jeong kept her poise in a backside duel of power and nerves with a slew of rivals then pulled through in a day of faltering finishes to claim The Women’s Championship at Summit Point crown by one over Chihiro Ikeda with a 71 here.

True to her vow, the 17-yearold Korean won the championship she gained a crack at after getting a shared view of the top with Nemittra Juntanaket with a 69 Thursday then birdied three of the first four holes yesterday to break off a tie then watched Ikeda’s fiery rally fizzle out in a flight ahead to nail her second championship in a young pro career she launched in winning fashion at Splendido last January.

“This championship means so much to me, I gained so much confidence from this win,” said Hwang.

The 2018 Philippine Amateur Open winner assembled a 54-hole total of eight-under 208 worth P150,000.

“But one thing I learned this week is that you have no time to relax till Hwang Min-jeong poses with her trophy after nailing her second win in a sterling rookie season. the last hole. The Thai (Juntanaket) is really good and when I saw on the boards that Ikeda is making a rally, I got nervous. I thought I lost it or I would go to a playoff after holing out with a bogey. I’m so glad to win it all,” said Hwang, who also credited his fathercaddie-driver Hwang Byung Sug’s role for her victory.

Ikeda nearly spoiled Hwang’s bid as the Fil-Japanese rallied from four down on a stirring three-birdie binge from No. 12, the last netting her a two-shot swing after Hwang bogeyed No. 14 to force a tie at nine-under overall.