Constantino clinches Malarayat title by 8

HARMIE Constantino didn’t let up one bit, shooting a four-under-par 68 yesterday to rule the ICTSI Malarayat Ladies Challenge by an astounding eight shots over Sarapron Chamchoi of Thailand at the complex’s composite layout in Lipa City.

Constantino, the 15-year-old reigning national amateur champion, put the issue to rest right on her first nine holes with four of her five birdies, tallying a 54-hole 205 that made her the third amateur to rule a leg this season.

“I’m so proud,” said Constantino after dominating an event littered with crack Thais, led by Chamchoi, and duplicating what Bernice Olivares-Ilas and Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso pulled off earlier in the season.

“I am really overwhelmed since I didn’t expect to win,” Constantino said. “I just went out there today to play my game.”

Chamchoi, who started the day just two shots behind the pint-sized Filipino, ballooned to a 74 and barely edged Chihiro Ikeda for second spot. Ikeda closed out with a 70.

With Constantino not eligible for the prize money, Chamchoi—who played the first 10 holes at three-over—brought home the P150,000 champion’s prize.

Jayvie Agojo, the Riviera leg winner two years ago, struggled to a 74 like Chanelle Avaricio, another amateur, to finish tied at 218.

Chatprapa Siriprakob of Thailand, after shooting consecutive 72s in the first two rounds, skied to a 77 for 221, with Apple Fudolin shooting a day-best 67 to vault out of nowhere and finish another two shots behind Chatprapa like Sarah Ababa.

Ababa, also a former leg winner seeking a followup win, closed out with a 73.

Daniella Uy was the third amateur in the Top 10 at 224 after carding a 79, with Cristina Corpus firing a 73 for 229. Musong R. Castillo