Guioguio triumphs in Sarawak

LOVELYNN Guioguio finally nailed a big one, carding a closing two-over-par 74 to bag the Sarawak Amateur Open crown by three shots over fancied ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda at the Sarawak Golf Club Resort in Malaysia Sunday.

Guioguio saw her five-shot lead reduced to one with five holes to go after stumbling on back-to-back bogeys off wild tee shots that landed in the water.

But she gained a decisive three-shot swing with a birdie on No. 14, which Ikeda double-bogeyed from an errant drive, and cruised to victory with a 220 total.

“I played tough and hung in there,” said Guioguio, who also made clutch par-saving putts on Nos. 16 and 17 to secure her first international victory.

The Filipino-Japanese Ikeda, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open and Thailand Ladies Open champion, wound up with a 72 for a 223 total.

Jayvie Agojo failed to sustain a solid 35 on the front nine for a 75 that left the former PH Ladies Open winner tied for third at 227 with Malaysian Nur Durriyay (74).

Sarah Ababa posted a second straight 77 and wound up at 234 while Sunshine Baraquiel had an 82 for 242.

Guioguio birdied No. 9 from five feet for a front-nine 36 and a four-shot lead at the turn over Ikeda, who shot a 35 with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4.