Despite being considered the least-credentialed among the four Filipinas, Daniella Uy exceeded expectations by emerging as the standout performer in the Asia Pacific Cup on Thursday.
She matched par 72, trailing Thai ace Atthaya Thitikul and three others, including Korean amateur Hyosong Lee, by four strokes in Indonesia on Thursday.
Uy mixes 2 birdies with 2 bogeys
Uy, the reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, showcased her resilience by mixing two birdies with the same number of bogeys at the challenging Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta.
The diverse field faced a stern test as they competed for top honors and substantial prizes in both individual and team play spread over three days.
Uy initiated her bid with a birdie on No. 2 but faced challenges with a slip on the par-3 No. 8 and a subsequent bogey on the 10th.
Undeterred, she rebounded with a birdie on No. 11, followed by a gutsy run of pars, resulting in a pair of 36s for a share of 14th place with Japanese Nasa Hataoka, Diksha Dagar of India, and Korean amateur Minson Kim.
Bianca cards 73; Princess, Dottie shoot 74s
Bianca Pagdanganan posted a one-over 73, while defending champion Princess Superal and LPGA and Epson Tour veteran Dottie Ardina struggled with 74s in a shaky start for the three seasoned campaigners expected to contend for the individual crown.
Pagdanganan's big-hitting style faced challenges, but she managed to bounce back with birdies on Nos. 4 and 12 after two early bogeys.
Superal, hopeful for a strong start in her title-retention bid, faced difficulties on challenging holes and dropped strokes on Nos. 6, 9, and 10.
Ardina, after bogeying early holes, settled down with pars and a backside birdie but missed key chances for a comeback.
Meanwhile, Thitikul led a four-way tie for the individual lead with a 68, joined by compatriot Phannarai Meesom-us and Koreans Dayeon Lee and amateur Hyosong Lee.
In the team competition, Team Korea 5 took the lead with a score of 140, just one stroke ahead of Thailand 2 and 4, while Team Korea 3 followed closely with a 142. Team Philippines 1, consisting of Uy and Ardina, tied for 10th with Japan 2 at 146, while Team Philippines 2, comprising Pagdanganan and Superal, shared 12th place with Japan 1 at 145.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
