SARAH Ababa took a two-stroke lead over teammate Cyna Rodriguez after firing a five-under 66 at the start of the Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championships at the Discovery Bay Golf Club, yesterday.
Ababa, who failed to count in all four days in the ladies side of the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Championship in Indonesia last week, suddenly showed top form and found the par-71 layout to her liking, making six birdies against a bogey despite windy condition.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, carded a three-under 68 on five birdies against two bogeys for second place even as defending champion Jayvie Agojo struggled a bit with an even par 72 to find herself in joint eighth with Thai Chayant Wangmahaporn.
Ababa hit 10 fairways and made it in regulation 14 times while coming up with just 26 putts while Rodriguez missed just one fairway and hit the greens 12 times while finishing with 27 putts. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio