TITIYA Plucksataporn of Thailand stumbled at the finish for a 71 but it was enough to put her ahead of home bets Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez in the second round of the $75,000 ICTSI Champion Tour on Thursday at Splendido in Tagaytay.
A Ladies European Tour campaigner, Plucksataporn bogeyed two of the last three holes but was the lone player to score under-par in windy conditions.
That gave her a 143 total, two strokes ahead of Mia Piccio, who shot a 75, and Rodriguez, who carded a 72.
Overnight leader Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul wobbled with a 77 and tumbled down to joint fourth at 146 with Chinese Taipe’s Lee Hsin (72), Yeh Hsin-ning (75) and amateur Hung Jo-jua (73).
“My putting and irons were simply good. If I can sustain my game or play even tomorrow (today), I have good chances for the title,” said the 24-year-old Plucksataporn.
Local amateur Yuka Saso also struggled with a 75 and fell to joint eighth at 147 with Korea’s Kang Ji-won and Taiwanese amateur Hou Yu-chiang, who both matched par 72s.
Thailand’s Punpaka Phuntumabamrung ang Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro were at 148 after a 73 and 75, respectively.
Rookie pro Pauline del Rosario, in joint third at the start of the day, shot a 78 and slipped to a share of 13th at 149 with Taiwan’s Chen Yu-ju (75) and amateur Hou Yu-sang (73) and Thai Narisara Kerdrit (73), six strokes off pace in the kickoff leg of this year’s ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour presented by Champion, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by ICTSI, BDO, Champion, Custom Clubmakers, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, KZG, Sharp, Summit Mineral Water, Titleist and Event Captain.