CHANELLE Avaricio fired a fiery two-under-par 70 yesterday to virtually secure the ladies Open title with a 14-shot lead going into the final round of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Open at the Orchard in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Avaricio’s solid play contrasted with that of Korean Tom Kim, the reigning Philippine Junior Amateur stroke play champion, who slipped to a 76 but nevertheless stayed on top in men’s play with a 149 total, three up on compatriot John Jun, who had a 75.
Counting her 74 in the first round, Avaricio pooled 144, 14 shots clear of Marvi Monsalve, who carded an 80, 36 holes through the tour’s third leg.
Avaricio, an Alabama State U standout, gunned down six birdies, three on each nine, as against four bogeys.
Daniella Uy managed an 84 and lay third at 163 over the Player course.
The 13-year-old Kim dropped two shots on No. 10 and then bogeyed three more holes coming in to allow Jun to cut a four-shot deficit overnight.
Jama Reyes shot a 74 and lay another stroke back at 153.
Manolo Buri shot an 81 to lead last year’s champion TJ Benitez, Nico Sevilla and Jung Kyung-young by one in men’s Class A, while Nestor Sevilla carded an 86 to also wrest a one-shot lead over Fred Pareja in Class B. Mariel Tee paced Ladies Class A with an 80. Steve Silva, Contributor