Long shot Sarah Ababa fired a bogey-free 4-under-par 68 yesterday to take a two-shot lead over the fancied Cyna Rodriguez after the opening round of the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Classic at the Couples layout in Silang, Cavite.
Ababa opened up with a birdie and closed with another one to complete a 34-34 card in her finest start in a two-year pro career that has yet to see her contend seriously for a breakthrough title.
Hot on her heels was Rodriguez, the heavy favorite who mixed six birdies with four bogeys with defending champion Jayvie Agojo firing a 72 to trail by four shots like Korean amateur Koh Eu-na.
Rodriguez, the reigning two-time Order of Merit champion, also birdied the short opening hole and was working on a four-under card going into the 12th before dropping shots on the next two holes.
Another amateur, Annika Cedo, Apple Fudolin and the veteran Lovelyn Guioguio all shot 76s.
Chihiro Ikeda, the former national team hotshot still in search of a maiden pro triumph, fired a 77 like Anya Tanpinco and Fil-American Christina Corpuz.