Pinay golfers give up Santi crown
THE LADY GOLFERS of the Philippine delegation failed to defend their crown in the Santi Cup as they melted down on the back nine, which allowed Thailand to come away with a one-stroke win with a final round 220 yesterday in the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong.
Dottie Ardina went over par for the first time, finishing with a 72 but still stood as the team’s best score as Andie Unson made a 75 and Chihiro Ikeda blew it all at the back with a 41 for a 77. Jayvie Agojo also wavered at the finish and didn’t count with a 78.
The Philippines, which led by three heading to the final day on rounds of 207, 209, 213, wound up with an 853 and lost by one.
Thailand didn’t do well either, shooting a 219 after a 210, 208, 214. But the Thais cashed in on the Pinays’ collapse in the closing holes with Pavarisa Yoktuan and Panitta Yusabai clinching the win with final hole birdies.
Pinrath Loomboonruang, playing in the final flight with Ardina, holed out with a bogey to make it a one-shot win as she matched Ardina’s 72 while Yoktuan and Yusabai carded a 73 and 75, respectively, for a 220 and an 852 aggregate. Correspondent Jonas Panerio
