Thai shows way with 73

MANILA, Philippines — Asian Ladies Tour veteran Amoikan Phalajivin of Thailand fired a one-over-par 73 Wednesday to take a two-stroke lead over amateur Sam Martinez after the first 18 holes of the ICTSI Q School at Aoki layout of Eagle Ridge in Cavite.

Players who score 240 or better—or an average of 80 per round—in the 54-hole event will earn cards to the ICTSI Ladies Pro Tour proper set to start in April.

This year’s tour will have eight legs compared to last year’s five. Dottie Ardina and Cyna Rodriguez won two legs each with amateur ace Princess Superal ruling the final leg in Baguio.

Amoikan actually had a feel of what the tour is like after finishing sixth at John Hay to Superal.

Mika Fortuna was in third spot after a 78 spiked by three birdies in her last four holes even as Korean Kwon Seo-yon and another amateur, Ashia Nocum, fired 80s.

Orchard will host the first leg from April 16-18 at its Players’ course. Japan’s Yuka Saso and Pamela Mariano carded 82s and would need to carve out fine rounds starting Thursday.