Cyna Rodriguez slowed down somewhat with a level par 69 Wednesday, but preserved her four-shot lead over Thailand’s Amolkan Phalajivin going into today’s final round of the P500,000 ICTSI Camp John Hay Ladies Invitational in Baguio.
Rodriguez birdied the par-5 17th for the second straight day to get to even par and take a 132 total into the final 18 holes, where the well-built champion is expected to cruise to another title.
The Thai matched Rodriguez’s 69 and was the only other player with a sub-par total at 136. Anya Tanpinco fired a 73 to be 10 shots off with Sarah Jane Ababa another shot behind also after a 73.
Jayvie Agojo, after opening up with a horrendous 77 on Tuesday, fired a 68 but remained 13 shots behind Rodriguez, who had a dominant season last year on the way to the Order of Merit crown.
“I was lucky to hang in there,” said Rodriguez, who is eyeing a second win this year after ruling the season-opening Orchard stop.
She opened up with a flawless 63 to set in motion what looked like another rout of the lean field.
Only three players—Agojo, Rodriguez and Dottie Ardina—have won legs in the fledgling tour, and Phalajivin can break the trio’s stranglehold if she manages to hold it all together Thursday.
“I hit it better than yesterday (in the first round),” the Thai said. “But I just couldn’t get the putts to fall today. I just couldn’t read the greens right.”
Seo Yon-kwon of South Korea, who ruled Monday’s pro-am event, and Bukidnon native Apple Fudolin fired 71s to catch Agojo with amateur Nikki Bruce (70-147) jumping into the top 10.
The 54-hole championship is being backed by Nike, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp.