Thai ace storms ahead with solid 70, but 2 Pinays lurk

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn pounced on fellow Thais Saraporn Chamchoi and Onkanok Soisuwan’s early struggle and Marvi Monsalve’s par-game to wrest control with a bogey-free two-under 70 for a two-stroke lead after two rounds of The Women’s Championship at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here in Lipa City, on Thursday.

While majority fumbled in the windy day at the Robert Trent Jones II-designed layout which features holes inspired by some of the world’s best-known courses, Kawinpakorn kept her poise and gunned down two birdies for a 35-35 card that shoved her past erstwhile leader Chamchoi to the top of the heap at five-under 139.