Seventeen-year-old amateur Tzu-Yi Chang sizzled with a five-under par 65 to steal the overall lead from Filipino-Japanese ace Yuka Saso Thursday in Round 2 of the ICTSI Manila Golf Club Ladies Masters.
Chang, a first timer at the Manila Golf Club course, came close to the course record of 63 which was set by Miguel Tabuena in a club tournament last year.
Guided by a local caddy, Chang played with caution as she finished with a two-day total of 137, one stroke ahead Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who placed second with her three-under 68 tally for a 36-hole aggregate of 138.
Saso, who started at hole no. 10, started falling behind after a bogey off a 20-foot missed green putt on the 155-yard 15th hole.
After submitting an even-par 71 for the day, Saso fell into a share of second spot with Yubol.
Chang started her day with three of seven birdies and a bogey and in the first nine holes, coming up with a two-under par 33 in the front nine.
“I needed to play smart. One shot at a time. Because it is easy to miss your shots when you go on the wrong side,” said Chang.
Saso, who had two birdies and two bogeys, managed to card a one-par 36 in the first nine holes following her mishap on the 14th hole.
She said the strong winds in the last five holes kept her improving the quality of her putting since round 1.
“No improvement on my putting because of the strong wind,” said Saso, who went on to finish with a one-sub par 36 in the back nine.
Japanese Mina Nakayama tallied a 2-under par 69 for a 140 in third place, while opening day co-leader Hsuan Chan carded a 69 for a three-way tie at 141.
Sharing 5th to seventh places with Nakayama is another Japanese Yui Noritomi and Thai bet Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro.
Taiwanese Babe Liu also fired a three-under 68 to a two-day tally of 142 in eighth, followed by local pro Pauline del Rosario (143).
