Cristie Kerr hosts Lacoste Invitational

MANILA, Philippines—Cristie Kerr, the world No. 2 in women’s golf, arrived Tuesday to host the first Lacoste invitational golf tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf Club.

Her trip here is part of her crusade against breast cancer and also as brand ambassador of Lacoste sportswear.

The Philippines is the last stop of her five-and-a-half weeks tour that started at Arkansas, moving across the US, and ending with an Asian swing that included Korea, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.

Kerr is actively campaigning to raise funds for programs that will raise awareness of breast cancer in women and the need for early detection and treatment.

In 2004, Kerr founded Birdies for Breast Cancer, a charity that has raised over $2 million for breast cancer research.

Kerr has 14 LPGA wins, including two major championships, and has earned over $13 million in career earnings.

Winners of the first Lacoste golf tournament were: Yuri Allado, over-all champion, 69; Jed Dy, over-all net first runner-up, 70, by three birdies; Fausto Preysler, over-all net second runner-up, 70 by 8 bogies; Alex Prieto, gross champion (men), 81; and Gaelle Marquet, gross champion (women), 78.

Special winners were: Fausto Preysler, longest drive (men); Gaelle Marquet, longest drive (women); Jed Dy, nearest to the pin (men); and Sandy Prieto Romualdez, nearest to the pin (women).

Players who beat Cristie Kerr at hole No. 21: Yuri Allado, Edward Tiu, Vince Tanjutco, Paul Chuatico, Philippe Palanca, Jed Dy, Sandy Prieto Romualdez, Gaelle Marquet, Nancy Ortiga and Rio Co.