LOIS Kaye Go held her own against fancied rivals and came through with a gutsy, eagle-aided two-under 70 to grab a one-stroke over Princess Superal at the start of the Philippine Ladies Open Golf Championship presented by Champion Infinity on Wednesday at Tagaytay Midlands.
Go, a 16-year-old shotmaker from Cebu Country Club, was three strokes ahead but bogeyed the par-5 No. 18, which Superal birdied from close range.
The Cebuana ace hit three birdies and the same number of bogeys and made eagle on No. 16 to take charge in the event organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.
Superal, seeking a follow-up to her Hong Kong Ladies Amateur title two weeks ago, also birdied Nos. 5 and 13 but dropped shots on Nos. 9 and 17.
Yuka Saso matched par 72 for third while Pauline del Rosario, the reigning Thailand Amateur Open champion, had a three-over 75 in a tie with Angela Legaspi.
Sofia Chabon, another TCC bet, carded a 76 for joint sixth with Wack Wack’s Felicia Medalla and Mikha Fortuna.
Thailand’s Onkanok Soisuwan had a 79 for a share of 12th with TCC mainstays Sam Martirez and Bernice Ilas. Ashia Nocum and Amelia Legaspi shot 81s, while Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee limped with an 82 in the premier Open division of the tournament backed by Inquirer, Taishan Insurance Brokers, Inc., MEC, Jewelmer, G&W Clubshares, inc., Vermogen and supported by the Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter, Alabang Ladies Golf Chapter, Canlubang Ladies Chapter, Forest Hills Ladies Circle, Manila Golf Ladies Chapter, URC-C2, Midlands Golf Club, Rockport and Impact Golf magazine.