Subang: Clare Amelia Legaspi led the way for the Philippines as the South East Asia (SEA) Games champions tied favourites South Korea after the opening round of the Asia Pacific Ladies Invitational Golf Team Championship for the Queen Sirikit Cup on Wednesday.
The bespectacled 16-year-old from Manila fired a strong three-under 69 to top the individual contest at the Saujana Golf & Country Club, combining with team mate Princess Mary Superal (74) for a one-under 143 team overall.
Regional powerhouse South Korea underlined their firm intention to clinch a record sixteenth crown, with Lee So-young and Gyeol Park carding a one-under 71 and even-par 72 respectively to take a share of the early lead.
China, led by British Junior Open champion Shi Yuting (70) were two strokes adrift in third alongside East Asian neighbours Japan on 145, while defending champions Australia and India were tied fifth on 147.
The best two gross scores contribute to the team’s daily score with the team returning the lowest gross score at the end of the 54-hole tournament walking home with the challenge trophy, named in the honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
The Philippines are eyeing their first-ever victory in the storied championship and Legaspi noted that her strong performance will keep the team spirit high ahead of tomorrow’s second round.
“We came to Malaysia feeling pretty good about our chances to tussle for the title and I was really delighted to give my team a strong early push. I had a great round overall – drove the ball well, kept it clean from the fairways and putted nicely.
“The undulating greens were similar to those back at my home course (Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club), so I adapted quickly and was able to read the lines correctly,” said Legaspi, who nearly eagled the closing hole before settling for her fifth birdie of the round.
Legaspi and Superal were part of the 2013 SEA Games winning team in Myanmar and expressed their confidence that the Pinoys may well create history this week.
“Winning this championship would mean a lot for ladies golf in the Philippines. The success at the SEA Games late last year gave us a lot of confidence and team has gelled together, so we are pretty confident of our chances,” added Superal.
Having missed out on a sixth consecutive title last year, the Korean lasses are hoping to overcome the hot and humid conditions as they seek to better their runner-up finish in Chinese Taipei last year.
“It was really hot out there and it was difficult to maintain my composure. I was struggling with my approach shots on the front nine but I kept my energy levels up by drinking lots of water and snacking on bananas and energy bars, which helped. It took a while for me to get my rhythm today but I’m confident that my team mates and I can go lower tomorrow,” said 17-year-old Lee.
She admits that Korea’s rich history in the championship is a big motivation for her team. “I would not say we are under pressure to win but rather we are united on the golf course and focused on our mission. We know that our country has a strong winning tradition in this competition and we believe that we have a good chance of claiming the title back this year.”
Meanwhile, hosts Malaysia stumbled under expectations,chalking up 157 to lie joint 12th with Singapore. Dianne Luke a Zhen was the best performing local with an effort of three-over 75.
Team standings (after first round)
143 – South Korea, Philippines
145 – Japan, China
147 – India
149 – Australia, Indonesia
151 – Chinese Taipei
153 – Hong Kong, Thailand
154 – New Zealand
157 – Singapore, Malaysia
Leading first round scores
69 – Clare Amelia P. Legaspi (PHI)
70 – Shi Yuting (CHN)
71 – Haruka Morita (JPN), Lee So-Young (KOR)
72 – Park Gyeol (KOR)
73 – Aditi Ashok (IND)
74 – Cathleen Santoso (AUS), Minami Katsu (JPN), Gianti Mahardika (INA), Princess Mary Superal (PHI), Ridhima Dilawari (IND)
75 – Ssu-chia Cheng (TPE), Kitty Tam (HKG), Dianne Luke Jia Zhen (MAS), Koh Sock Hwee (SIN), Hannah Green (AUS), Shelly Shin (AUS), Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri (INA), Wang Ziyi (CHN), Yan Jing (CHN)
Selected others:
82 – Nur Durriyah Damian
83 – Kelie Kan Kah Yan
