Nagai, Bjorklund share Open honors
Riko Nagai and Rowena Bjorklund turned in strong finishes to dominate their respective divisions in the Philippine Ladies Open Golf Championship presented by Champion Infinity at the Midlands in Tagaytay Friday.
Nagai, who took control with an 88 in the first round but reeled back with a 92 Thursday, saved her best for last, firing an 84 to turn back erstwhile leader Stella Barnes for the Class A crown while Bjorklund closed out with a second 90 to run away with the Class B diadem.
The Japanese shotmaker pooled a 264 to post a five-shot romp over Barnes, who faltered with a 92 after an impressive 85 for a 269 while Marilyn Reyes rallied with an 88 to snatch third place at 272.
Catalina Neish and Soon Hak Jung shot identical 93s to finish tied for fourth at 279 while Hee Sun Kim ended up sixth at 280 after a 98. Karen Buenaventura fought back with an 88 for a 281.
Bjorklund, on the other hand, outclassed the Class B field, pooling a 283 for a whopping 16-point win over Sun Ok Park, who shot a second 97 for a 299 while Melody Trovag placed third with a 311 after a 99.
Maricel Galisim ended up fourth with a 319 after a 108 in the 54-hole championship organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by Filinvest Alabang, Inc., Metro Pacific, Shell, Inquirer, Taishan Insurance Brokers, Inc., MEC, Jewelmer, G&W Clubshares and Vermogen.
Nagai and Bjorklund thus joined amateur ace Princess Superal in the podium finish after the former US Girls’ Junior champion held off Yuka Saso and The Country Club teammate Pauline del Rosario to snare the Open championship by a shot.
