Thai stretches buffer to 3 in ICTSI Ladies Q-School

MANILA, Philippines –Thai Amolkan Phalajivin moved closer to gaining a card for this year’s ICTSI Ladies Phiilippine Golf Tour as she widened her two-shot lead overnight to three despite a five-over-par 77 in the second round Thursday of the LPGT Qualifying School at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

The 26-year-old Phalajivin had a double bogey and four bogeys against a lone birdie in her round to add to the 73 she shot Wednesday at the Aoki layout. She had a 150 total.

Park You-ra matched par 72 despite two late bogeys and tied ICTSI amateur team mainstays Mika Fortuna and Sam Martinez at 153.

Park, who had an 81 in the opener of the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., shot three birdies in a seven-hole stretch from No. 6 but bogeyed Nos. 1, 16 and 18 as she put herself in contention for the title.

Fortuna made the turn at 35 on three birdies against two bogeys but double-bogeyed the last hole for a 75.

Martirez, two behind Phalajivin overnight, carded nines of 41-37 for a 78.

Korean Kwon Seo-yon carded a 76 for solo fifth at 156 while compatriot Kim So-yoon and local amateur Marie Asia Nocum stood at 159 after a 78 and 79, respectively.

The tournament stakes berths for the lucrative eigth-leg ICTSI LPGT unfolding in April.