Kawagishi, Lee seize command

TAGAYTAY CITY—Japanese Fumika Kawagishi fired an eagle-spiked seven-under-par 65 yesterday and vauled into the lead, one shot clear of Korean veteran Lee Jeong-hwa going into the final round of the ICTSI Champion Tour presented by Champion and Taiwan LPGA.

The 21-year-old Kawagishi gunned down five birdies on a six-hole stretch from No. 2 and then eagled No. 10 to improve on her 72 overnight and be at 137 at Splendido Taal Golf Club here.

Former Philippine Ladies Open winner Lee breathed down her neck at 138 after a 66.

Filipino amateur stalwart Princess Superal shot a 71 to rise to joint third on 143, six strokes off the pace, and clinch her spot in today’s championship flight with Kawagishi and Lee, who had a blazing 32 coming in.

Taiwan’s Chen Yu-ju matched par and tied Superal two rounds through the 54-hole championship that rewards the winner $15,000 from the total pot of $75,000 put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Another Taiwanese, Chen Min-jou, double bogeyed No. 16 and settled for a second 72 and 144, seven shots off Kawagishi.

Mookharin Ladgratok of Thailand, the overnight leader with a 69, hobbled home with a 76 and headed a five-player logjam at 145 that included compatriots Kanpahnitnan Muanghkumaskul, who managed a 75, and Chorphaka Jaengkit (72), Korean Kang Ji-won (72), Taiwanese Shih Huei-ju (73) and local aces Mia Piccio (72) and Dottie Ardina (73).

LPGA Tour campaigner Cyna Rodriguez returned a 74 for 150 in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Adidas, Custom Clubmakers, KZG, TaylorMade, Champion, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Pacsports, Sharp and Rustans.

“I hit solid iron shots but struggled with my putting,” said Kawagishi, who is seeking a first win on PH soil in this event, which serves as the fifth stop of the Taiwan LPGA Tour and the kickoff leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour. Steve Silva / Inquirer Golf