No relief in sight as Filipina golfers continue to struggle in Queen Sirikit Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Lisa Sarines showed signs of improvement with a second-round 78 after an opening 83, but the Philippine team continued to battle through a tough campaign in the 45th Queen Sirikit Cup in Miyazaki, Japan on Wednesday.

While defending champion Korea and host Japan traded power-for-power, talent-for-talent in a high-level clash atop the leaderboard, the Filipinas fought for scraps, unable to shake off their sluggish start at the Phoenix Seagaia Resort course.

Grace Quintanilla matched Sarines’ 78 to give the Philippines a second-round total of 156. That brought their two-day aggregate to 314, keeping them anchored at the bottom of the 13-nation field after a dismal opening 158.

Korea moved a step closer to retaining its crown, shooting a blazing 133 to surge ahead of Japan by six with a halfway total of 272. Japan, which led by one stroke after the first round, faltered with a 140 to slip to second at 278.

China rebounded from a 146 with a 138 to grab third at 284, while Thailand dropped to fourth with a 285 after a 142.

Soomin Oh led Korea’s charge with a brilliant 67 for a 136 total, storming to a four-stroke lead in the individual competition. Compatriot Min Seo Jung delivered one of the day’s best rounds with a 66 to tie Japan’s Aira Nagasawa, who shot a 71, at 140 for joint second.

Korea’s Hong Sumin carded a 71 to sit in joint fourth at 141, tied with Thailand’s Prim Prachnakorn, who carded a 70, and China’s Shiyuan Zhou, who shot the day’s other 66.

For the Philippines, Quintanilla produced a frontside 37 but faltered again coming home, closing with five bogeys for a 41 and a share of 30th in the 38-player field.

Sarines, backed by ICTSI, also opened with a 37, highlighted by birdies on Nos. 1 and 7. But the 13-year-old Junior PGT standout struggled under pressure, losing strokes on Nos. 11, 15, and 18 — including a costly double bogey on the 17th — to finish with a 41 and a tie for 33rd.

Reese Ng’s 80 didn’t count toward the team total.

• Latest
• Trending