HONG KONG, Sept 5, 2012 (HKGolfer) - Sarah Jane Ababa stole the show on day one of Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championship thanks to a brilliant five-under-par 66 at Discovery Bay Golf Club.
Ababa, an 18-year-old from the Philippines, got off to an indifferent start with a bogey on the par-three second, but responded with six birdies in a flawless last 16 holes to take a two-shot lead over compatriot Cyna Marie Rodriquez in second place. Thailand's Kamonwan Lueamsri occupies third spot after a 69.
Tiffany Chan and Michelle Cheung (pictured) head the local challenge after the pair recorded matching level-par 71s, a score that was replicated by world junior champion Benyapa Niphatsophon of Thailand, who triumphed over the same course just three weeks ago when she took the Hong Kong Junior Open title .
Defending champion Jayvie Agojo, also of the Philippines, finds herself six shots off the pace after a 72.
Day One Results
66 – Sarah Jane Ababa (Philippines)
68 – Cyna Marie Rodriguez (Philippines)
69 – Kamonwan Lueamsri (Thailand)
70 – Lou Daniella Uy (Philippines)
71 – Tiffany Chan (Hong Kong); Benyapa Niphatsophon (Thailand); Michelle Cheung (Hong Kong)
72 – Jayvie Agojo (Philippines); Chayant Wangmahaporn (Thailand)
74 – Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (Thailand); Tsai Hsin En (Chinese Taipei)