Female golfers snatch lead by 3

NAYPYITAW—Asian Youth Games champion Mia Legaspi and Princess Superal carded identical even-par 72s Monday as the Philippines grabbed the lead at the start of the women’s golf competition of the 27th Southeast Asian Games here.

The two SEA Games rookies lay in a four-player tie for second in individual play behind Yan May Myo of Burma (Myanmar), but their 144 total boosted the Philippines to a three-shot lead over Thailand and the host country at Royal Myanmar Golf Course.

The men’s team seemed out of it after two rounds, however, as the Filipinos trailed the leading Thais by 22 shots in sixth place with a 440 total.

Rupert Zaragosa recovered with a 71, Justin Quiban added a 75 but John Kier Abdon, who fired a 70 Sunday, counted last with a 76.

Thailand pooled 418 followed by Burma (423), Indonesia (427), Malaysia (433) and Singapore (434).

Seeking her second major international title for the year after ruling the individual event of the AYG in China early this year, Legaspi, 15, gunned down two birdies against the same number of bogeys in a 37-35 round.

Wary of the water hazards over the 7,260-yard layout, Legaspi kept her mistakes to a minimum before capping her round with a 24-foot birdie on 18.

“We can still do better,” said Legaspi. “I think the key will be our second shots. It’s a long course with a lot of water hazards, so we have to be careful.”

The 16-year-old Superal birdied two of the three par-3 holes, before sinking an eight-footer for birdie on 17. Still, she was left ruing a three-putt on 18.

Katrina Briones submitted a 79 and did not count.

Thailand and Burma shared second at 147 followed by Malaysia (150).