CHANELLE AVARICIO held on to a precarious one-shot lead despite a grinding even-par 72 as Daniella Uy and Sarah Ababa closed in with gutsy rounds to set up a thrilling three-way battle heading into the final round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship in Bukidnon on Wednesday.
Avaricio, who lit up the course with a flawless 67 on Tuesday, struggled with her approach shots in Round 2, limiting her birdie chances and forcing her to lean on a sharp short game to salvage crucial pars.
‘My driving was good but I struggled with my second shots,’ said Avaricio after stringing together 18 pars in a gritty round that kept her on top at 139. ‘I also had difficulties with my putting.’
Despite the challenges, the Forest Hills champion remained focused.
‘I’ll just be in the moment, hoping for a great day tomorrow,’ added Avaricio as she acknowledged the fine margins in play at the challenging Del Monte Golf Club. ‘Hopefully, the putts will drop.’
Uy, taking a break from the Taiwan tour, opted for a conservative approach on the tight, tree-lined layout, carding a 71 highlighted by two birdies and a lone bogey.
Her steady play placed her just a stroke back at 140, setting up a compelling duel with Avaricio.
‘I’m not really thinking about scoring a repeat. I just want to focus on my game, trust the process and stay with my routine,’ said Uy, downplaying her chances despite being the defending champion at Del Monte.
Unlike the top two, Ababa went on the offensive and nailed four birdies against two bogeys for a 70 to pull to within two shots at 141 and kept herself firmly in the title hunt in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
‘My irons went well today compared to the first round,’ Ababa said. ‘My ball control and placements were good and my putting remains steady.’
Behind the leading trio, Kristine Fleetwood joined the chase with a 70 to move to 142, just three shots back, while, Mafy Singson posted the day’s best round-69-to vault into a three-way tie at 143 with Harmie Constantino (72) and local hopeful Velinda Castil (73).
Martina Miñoza, another homegrown talent, settled for a second straight 72 for a 144, while Florence Bisera-winner of two titles last month-continued to struggle with a 73 for a 146, leaving her seven shots behind Avaricio.