THE NATIONAL ladies junior team are on the verge of yielding the crown they held last year after dropping to fourth place after ringing up a total of 667, a good 18 strokes behind Thailand, with just one round left in the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championships yesterday.
At presstime, the leading ladies squad gained another three-stroke lead over Thailand after nine holes in the Santi Cup as Dottie Ardina shot a two-under 33 and Chihirio Ikeda and Jayvie Agojo made a couple of 36s with Andie Unson struggling with a 37.
The Thais, who moved within two of the Pinay golfers midway through the event, had a three-over card at the turn with Pinrath Loomboonruang firing a 34, although Pavarisa Yoktuan and Panitta Yusabai made a 36 and 38, respectively, Wad Phaewchimplee had a 40.
The Putra Cup team remained in the cellar with a 662 after a 219 although it closed within Thailand, which has a 659 after a 222, in a surprise duel of the region’s top teams at the tailend of the seven-team field with Myanmar barely ahead of the duo with a 657 after a 223. Correspondent Jonas Panerio