Pinay Rosales stays in contention at Thailand Open golf

FILIPINA pro Jennifer Rosales moved within two shots off the leader as she fired in a two-under 70 even as erstwhile leader Chihiro Ikeda struggled with a 74 to drop off three strokes from new leader Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai in the second round of the Thailand Open at the Lakewood Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand.

Rosales, who launched her campaign on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour with a 71 Wednesday, flashed vintage form and gunned down four birdies against a bogey but missed closing in on the defending champion Kongkiatkrai with a last-hole bogey on No. 9.

Still, her 35-35 round and a 36-hole aggregate of three-under 141 kept her within sight of the Thai ace, who surged ahead with a 139 after a similar 70.

Ikeda, who forced a four-way tie for the first round lead with a 68 in an impressive pro debut, failed to sustain her charge and hobbled with four bogeys against two birdies. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio