Takashi Kawano and Ryuzo Sato pooled a 163 and edged Rolando Ramilo and Alfredo dela Peña in the countback to nail the overall crown while Mari Hechanova and Junjun Plana took the low gross diadem in the 41st Jose Yulo Memorial tournament at the North and South Courses in Canlubang, Laguna, recently. Kawano and Sato combined for an 84 in the first day then put in a 79 to clinch the top honors in the annual 36-hole tournament held in honor of the former House Speaker. Ramilo and Dela Peña shot an 84 in the first round and rallied with a 76.
Korean rookie takes charge by 3
Rookie pro Hwang Min-jeong banked on a pair of back-to-back birdies to open both nines and take charge with a 68, storming to a three-stroke lead as Thai Chonlada Chayanun stumbled at the finish in the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic opener in Laurel, Batangas, on Tuesday.
Chayanun actually seized control with a running five-under card after 11 holes but failed to ride the heavy wind that blew from all over, bogeying No. 12, dropping two strokes on the next and yielding another shot on No. 14 of Splendido Taal Golf Club.
She wound up with a 71, dropping instead to joint second with compatriots Saraporn Chamchoi and Punpaka Phuntumabamrung.
“I really enjoyed my game today (Tuesday),” said Hwang, who posted a record 16-shot romp in last year’s Philippine Amateur Open at Riviera. “I played smart and safe because of the heavy wind.”
Princess Superal, installed as the best local bet in the absence of last week’s Beverly Place leg winner Dottie Ardina and runner-up Pauline del Rosario, blew a one-under card with bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17, dropping to joint eighth at 73 with Wad Phaenchimplee of Thailand.