Malaysia golf: Ikeda shares lead with local

Chihiro Ikeda stayed cool despite the heat and shot a two-under 71 to share the lead with local bet Kelly Tan at the start of the Royal Selangor Ladies Open at the par-73 Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday.

Ikeda, coming off a failed title bid in the Japan Women’s Amateur last weekend, bucked a double bogey mishap on No. 1 with four birdies, including a tap-in on the 18th after a superb iron shot.

Ikeda’s 71 put the top ICTSI bet in the lead with Tan, who fashioned out a four-birdie, two-bogey stint. They were two up on Dottie Ardina with two rounds left in the tournament that drew 76 top players in the region.

Ardina missed a couple of birdie opportunities and settled for an even 73.