Daniella Uy stays ahead of a dangerous pack of chasers. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
GEN. TRIAS—Daniella Uy had a roller-coaster round and needed birdies on two of her last four holes to salvage a one-under-par 71 and take a one-stroke lead over a trio that includes the dangerous Princess Superal after the first 18 holes of the P750,000 ICTSI Eagle Ridge Ladies Classic at the tricky Norman course.
Uy, a former Junior World champion, had six total birdies that went with five bogeys as everyone struggled over the tricky layout where Superal holed out with a bogey for a 35-37 card to share second with Chihiro Ikeda and the comebacking Sunshine Baraquiel.
Ikeda, the first round leader last week at Sherwood Hills, had four birdies and the same number of bogeys, while Baraquiel, the former national who stayed away from the game for years to become a pilot, picked up a shot on the 17th for a 37-35 card.
Chanelle Avaricio, second last week to Superal, carded a 74 while the third pretournament favorite, Harmie Constantino, slumped to a 75 littered by double bogeys on both nines.
“I’ll just try to make it simple,” said Uy, whose best professional finish was third last year at Riviera.
Superal, meanwhile, also started out slow last week before pouring on the heat in the final two rounds to win.