Ladies Classic: Rodriguez storms ahead by 3

Cyna Rodriguez gunned down four birdies in the last 10 holes yesterday to shoot a 3-under-par 69 and open a three-shot lead over Jayvie Agojo going into today’s final 18 holes of the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Ladies Classic in Lipa City.

Rodriguez wriggled out of an even battle with Agojo after a birdie on the ninth before picking up three more shots the rest of the way for a 36-hole 141 aggregate that moved her closer to a third victory this season.

Agojo, who started the day one-shot behind Rodriguez in a tie for third spot, had three birdies and the same number of bogeys in her inward nine for a 71 and a level 144.

Chihiro Ikeda, after opening up with a 69 for a three-shot lead over Rodriguez, ballooned to a 76 and fell five shots off the pace, even trailing the third-running Thai Amolkan Phalajivin by one with a 147.

The Thai, who was second by 11 shots to Rodriguez in the Camp John Hay leg in Baguio last month, returned a second straight 73 despite closing birdie-birdie, to stay in the hunt.

“I was on target all day,” Rodriguez, who also won at Orchard, said of her superlative round.

Korean expatriate Seo Yon-kwon was seven shots behind after shooting a 78 and no other bet after Agojo, Ikeda and the Thai in the very lean field seems to have a chance of catching Rodriguez at the wire.

Agojo had another miserable putting day and wouldn’t have to look anywhere else if she goes on to fall short in snapping Rodriguez’s domination in the circuit.

“I could’ve easily shot a 6-under with my great game. I got the right speed and direction but my putts just wouldn’t fall,” said Agojo, who broke through locally when she triumphed at Riviera last month, an event which Rodriguez skipped.

The 54-hole event is being organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Nike, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp.