TARLAC — Harmie Constantino dropped two shots on the final hole to settle for a one-under-par 71 and a share of the lead with Daniella Uy in the ICTSI Luisita Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here on Tuesday.
Constantino was cruising to 3-under following four birdies against a single bogey before closing with a double bogey.
“Nahirapan ako sa green at yung distance sa putting,” said Constantino who made a swing change after finishing tied for third at Caliraya Springs topped by Epson Tour campaign Pauline del Rosario.
“I also struggled on my long game but overall, it’s a pretty good one — saved some pars than I thought and kind of held on to my scores.”
Uy stayed focused off the mound and rebounded from a bogey on the first hole with birdies on 4 and 12.
‘I also struggled on my long game but overall, it’s a pretty good one — saved some pars than I thought and kind of held on to my scores.’
“I know I need to hit straight drives here, mahirap magkamali dito (Luisita) kasi malamang ma-puno ka,” Uy said.
Four shots behind were Sarah Ababa and Gretchen Villacencio who matched 75s while Florence Bisera and Pamela Mariano hobbled with 76s for a share of fifth with amateur Laurea Duque.
Korean Kim Seoyun, who lost by one to Del Rosario at Caliraya, carded a 77 while reigning LPGT Order of Merit winner Chihiro Ikeda and Korean Yang Ju Young matched 79s for a share of ninth in the 54-hole championship offering a total prize fund of P750,000.
Constantino took control early as she birdied 5 then gained another stroke on the par-4 seventh before missing a birdie chance on the next par-5 ninth hole.
After dropping a stroke on 10, she birdied the 12th, another par-5, then poised to dominate the field with another feat on 16.
But after matching par on 17, she mishit her approach on the 18th and lost her putting touch and signed for a 6.
