Fiery windup nets Thai PH Masters lead

Kanphanitnan Muangkhumaskul closed out both nines of Alabang Country Club with a burst of birdies – and an eagle on No. 7 – as she stormed past a steady Chihiro Ikeda and a faltering Lee Jeong Hwa of Korea to wrest control with a 69 for a one-stroke lead at the start of the rich ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters in Muntinlupa on Wednesday.

Lee looked poised to launch her bid for a third Ladies Philippine Golf Tour/Taiwan LPGA crown in strong fashion when she went three-under with six holes to play at the front. But the Korean fumbled with bogeys on Nos. 4 and 6 and scrambled for pars in the last three to drop to joint fourth at 71.