Thai leads Ikeda by 1 in WW Invt’l

Thailand’s Pennapa Pulsawath gunned down six birdies on the way to a 3-under-par 69 Tuesdayand a one-stroke lead over Chihiro Ikeda after the opening round of the ICTSI Wack Wack Ladies Invitational at the West course in Mandaluyong.

Pulsawath, who finished second to countryman Wichanee Meechai by 15 shots at Splendido two weeks ago, nailed five of those birdies in her first 11 holes before stumbling with a double bogey 6 on the 16th that allowed Ikeda to creep closer.

Ikeda had an up-and-down front nine before steadying herself coming home with a 33 to move into contention.

Amateur Bernice Olivarez-Ilas was the last player with a sub-par score with a 71 even as Princess Superal fired an ace-spiked 72 to trail by three  like Apple Fudolin and Wichanee.

Cyna Rodriguez continued to struggle, firing a 73 like Korean amateur Koh Eu-na.  Musong R. Castillo