BACOLOD. – Sarah Ababa took a step closer to ending a tedious pursuit of a second career win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as she padded her overnight four-stroke lead to six over Pamela Mariano despite a four-over 74 at the Marapara course here Thursday.
But her chief rivals likewise struggled in another wind-blown day in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic, enabling the Davaoeña shotmaker to virtually drive a wedge between her and her pursuers for a clear shot at the top purse of P105,000 in the 54-hole championship.
“I just tried to be patient — fairways, greens and make the most of my birdie chances, if not, just go for two-putt par,” said Ababa, whose 143 total and a huge six-shot lead over Mariano moved her 18 holes away from scoring a follow-up to her breakthrough win at Sherwood Hills in 2015.
Mariano assumed the challenger’s role despite a birdie-less 74 for 149 as Daniella Uy faded with a double bogey-bogey finish for 77 and 150, while Chanelle Avaricio skied to a 78 and fell from second to joint fourth at 151 with Chihiro Ikeda and amateur Rianne Malixi, who matched 73s, and Florence Bisera, who limped with a 76.
Ikeda and Malixi’s three-over cards proved to be the day’s best as the women of the Tour fumbled and stumbled while facing the challenges and quirks of the short but difficult par-70 layout, enabling Ababa, who seized control with a superb first round 69, to build a huge lead and head to the final day with less pressure.
