Thai virtual Splendido champ

Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai became the lone par-breaker for the second straight day, turning in a 4-under-68 yesterday to all but put the ICTSI Splendido Ladies title away with a whopping 13-shot lead going into today’s final 18 holes.

The 21-year-old Wichanee again tamed the windswept, up-and-down layout in Tagaytay with her 137 aggregate practically pushing her beyond reach by the outclassed field.

Pennepa Pulsawath stayed in second spot after shooting a 77 even as Anya Tanpinco remained the best-placed local bet at 151 after a similar 77.

Amolkan Phalajivin, another Thai, kissed her title-retention bid goodbye with a 79 for 156.

Cyna Rodriguez, the country’s top bet, couldn’t get going for the second straight round, signing for a quadruple bogey-marred 76 to all but fade out of the fight.

Walailak Satarak moved up as the third-ranking Thai by rebounding from an opening 82 with a 72 for 154, with compatriots Saraporn Chamchoi and Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang shooting 78s to tie Chihiro Ikeda at 155.

Ikeda, the former amateur team spearhead still seeking a first pro win, shot an 80. Musong R. Castillo