Another amateur takes charge

With four birdies in her last six holes on Thursday, an amateur is still in command of the ICTSI Manila Golf Classic.

But it’s not Yuka Saso.

Chinese Taipei’s Tzu-Yi Chang fired a six-under-par 65 on another sweltering day to knock the fancied Saso out of the lead heading into the final 18 holes of the $100,000 event.

Counting an opening 72 on Wednesday, Chang takes a 137 into the last round Friday and a one-shot lead over Saso, the reigning Asian Games gold medalist who is highly favored to win.

Saso had two birdies against the same number of bogeys in a 71 and dropped into a tie with Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who cracked par for the second straight round with a 68.

Japan’s Mina Nakayama fired a 69 to be at 140, even as Pauline del Rosario barely clung to the Top 10 after a 72 for 143, six shots off and needing a really low round to matter in the final day.

Princess Superal struggled yet again over a course that suits her game, firing a 72 to be nine behind.