Constantino fires 70, catches Avaricio on top

DAVAO CITY — Harmie Constantino and Chanelle Avaricio matched two-under 70s in contrasting fashion on a windy Tuesday here, setting the stage for a wide-open title race at the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic.

Constantino surged into a share of the first round lead by holing out with a birdie on the 18th, capitalizing just moments after Avaricio stumbled with a costly miscue on No. 17.

The dramatic finish locked the pair at the top of the leaderboard, just one stroke ahead of South Korea’s Kim Seoyun, who missed forcing a three-way deadlock after a late mistake on the front nine, settling for a 71 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

With Princess Superal carding a 73, and Yvon Bisera, Daniella Uy and amateur Johanna Uyking at joint fifth with 74, another pressure-packed battle loomed in the last 36 holes of the P1.25 million championship wrapping up the eight-leg Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Rev Alcantara struggled with a 76 for joint eighth with Sarah Ababa, while Tiffany Lee saw her hopes of a stronger finish take a hit after an error-strewnbackside 41, leaving her with a 77.

For a while, Avaricio, coming off a one-shot victory over Lee at South Pacific last week, played as if she has found another gear — and the rest of the field may need something special to keep pace.

In sweltering conditions, with the wind coming into play early afternoon, the 29-year-old ace looked every bit a player in the zone — sharp off the tee, steady when the course demanded patience and ruthless when birdie opportunities presented themselves.

She birdied the first two holes and capped her flawless frontside stint with another pair of birdies, building a commanding lead over her nearest pursuer. But Apo bit back a bit at the back as Avaricio found the last two par-3s doubly challenging, bogeying them without hitting any more birdies for contrasting nines of 32-38.