Malaysia Leads After First Day Of SEA Games Ladies Golf

Jakarta, Indonesia — With rivals hell bent on dethroning them, the defending champion Philippines’ Chihiro Ikeda, Andrea Unson and Dottie Ardina found themselves trailing by five against current leader Malaysia in the opening round of women’s golf competition in the 26th Southeast Asian Games.

It’s a crowded top four with only single-digit leads separating the teams. Malaysia is off to a fine start with 142 followed by Thailand (143), Singapore (144), and the Philippines (147).

Ikeda and Ardina are no strangers to this kind of situation. Call it a déjà vu of sorts but this is the same story line that happened in the first day in the 2009 Laos SEAG in Vientiane. Eventually, they caught fire in the last two days to capture the gold team and individual medals.

In fact, the managers and coaches of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and host Indonesia know too well that the Philippines have the strongest team coming here and are even more dangerous when their backs are against the wall, especially with high-caliber players like Ikeda and Ardina.

“I expect the ladies to bounce back in a big way on Wednesday. There will only be a few adjustments as they played decent rounds today," said national coach Bong Lopez.

Lopez’s major adjustment would focus on limiting mistakes on specific holes where the trio recorded a combined five double-bogeys at the narrow, tree-lined fairways of the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club’s New Course.

Ikeda paced with an even 72, highlighted by three birdies on Nos. 1, 3 and 10. She got into trouble on the 12th where she had a double bogey and on the 13th for her only bogey.

Unson, a first-time in the SEA Games, added a 75 in the three-to-play, two-to-count format as she accounted for the PHL’s 147 total. Dottie Ardina, the third member, managed a 76.

Malaysia, meanwhile, leaned on the two-under 70 of Kelly Tan and the 72 of Aretha Pan. Thailand’s Pinrath Loonboonruang also made a 70 and was backed up by Pannita’s 73. Koh Sock Hwee shot the day’s best of 69 while Amelia Yong added a 75 for Singapore.

In the men’s division, powerhouse Thailand overtook Indonesia for the lead after the second round even as the Philippines stayed in fourth place in the competition also played at Jagorawi.

Rupert Zaragosa, the many-time Junior World champion, churned out a one-under 71 to spearhead the Philippines campaign. Jobim Carlos and Art Arbole each returned with a 74 that gave the country a 219 for the day and 242 in 36 holes.

Thai Rattanon Wannasric rattled off with a superb four-under 68 and got ample support from Poom Saksansin (72) and Natipong Srithong (75) for 218 and 433 aggregate. Malaysia jumped to second with 222-440, one ahead from erstwhile leader Indonesia (227-441).