Korean takes lead in PH Ladies Open

LEE JEONG HWA took care of business as she fired in an incredible four-under par 68 to take a four shot lead over Princess Superal in the second round of the 50th Philippine Ladies Open crown at Wack Wack’s East Course yesterday.

The Korean lass went five-under in a 10-hole stretch on a challenging course that continued to bedevil the games of the other fancied bets, turning a shaky one-shot margin into a commanding lead heading to the final 18 holes of the golden staging of the country’s premier ladies championship.

Lee, playing out of Southwoods where she placed second to Louise Manalo in the 2009 edition of the annual event sponsored by Champion Infinity and presented by Pacsports, pooled a 142 despite a bogey mishap on the 18th, moving closer to becoming the first Korean to win the Philippine Ladies Open diadem.

Superal took the challenger’s role as erstwhile pursuer Jayvie Agojo faltered with a 74 and the other favorites failed to rebound from so-so opening rounds, firing a gutsy 70 for a 146.

The 14-year-old Superal, a multi-winner on the ICTSI Jungolf Circuit, matched Lee’s opening 34 and a birdie on the 10th but bogeyed the par-3 to settle for a two-under card.

Club bet Felicia Medalla turned from awful to awesome with a three-under 69, marked by five birdies, including the tough No. 18 from where she holed out from 24 feet, as the two-time club champion snatched a spot in today’s championship flight with a 148.  Correspondent Jonas Panerio