Gan seizes 5-shot lead; Ramos in strong start

Despite tricky conditions, Nicole Gaisano Gan battled her way to a four-over-par 75, extending her lead in the girls’ Class B division of the 31st SICC Junior Invitational Golf Championship at the Bukit Course of the Singapore Island Country Club on Wednesday.

The 14-year-old from Immaculate Conception Academy standout notched two birdies against six bogeys, finishing 36 holes at 5-over par, giving her a five-stroke cushion over her closest competitors.

Singapore’s Ella Sun, who had matched Gan’s opening 72, struggled with an 80 in the second round to slip to 10-over. Fellow Singaporean Annika Chui carded an 80 to sit at 12-over.

Gan currently ranks fourth overall, five shots behind Korean leader Yisoo Min, who also tops the Class A leaderboard. 

Another Filipina in the field, Regina Chiu, based in Singapore, sits sixth at 12-over after a 79.

In the boys’ Class B, Geoffrey Tan had a 78, placing 14th at 15-over — 19 strokes behind leader Lixuan Chen of Singapore.

Strong start for Ramos in Thailand

Meanwhile, in Thailand, Sean Ramos made a splash at the start of the final Asian Tour qualifying at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, eagling the seventh hole en route to a three-under-par 68.

The 22-year-old sophomore, aiming to regain his Asian Tour card, also recorded two birdies against a lone bogey, putting him four strokes behind early leader Will Florimo. 

The top 35 finishers over 90 holes will earn full Asian Tour status.

Fellow Filipino Enrico Gallardo, opened with a solid 72, keeping his chances alive.