Agojo tops qualifier, nails berth in LPGA Taiwan tilt

JAYVIE Agojo gained a spot in next month’s rich LPGA Taiwan Championship when she topped the 36-hole regional qualifier with a closing 75 yesterday at the demanding Sunrise Golf Club in Taiwan.

Agojo, whose wind-blown 78 gave her a one-shot lead after the first round Thursday, held her ground on the final 18 holes despite a torrential downpour that made the competition a lot tougher.

The ICTSI-backed player fended off her pursuers with five crucial pars coming home and finished way ahead of the field at 153.

Agojo thus gained the chance to play against Taiwan’s world No. 1 and defending champion Yani Tseng, American Paula Creamer and Korean ace So Ryun-ryo, among others, in the $2-million LPGA Taiwan Championship set Oct. 25 to 28, also at Sunrise.

“They played in more challenging conditions today (yesterday),” said ICTSI team coach Nestor Mendoza. “Jayvie held on with a solid short game.”

But while Agojo, already the winner of this year’s Santi Cup (Southeast Asian) individual crown in Indonesia, advanced, ICTSI teammate and reigning Hong Kong Amateur Ladies champion Cyna Rodriguez fell short by one with a 160 after a paltry 81.

Thai pro Tiranan Yoopan snatched the only other berth with a 159 after an 80.

Also failing to make it was Singapore’s Jessica Ang Pei, who could not improve on a 94 Thursday and wound up with a 188.