Bisera off to solid start

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — Yvon Bisera overcame a shaky start with a spectacular finish Wednesday, firing a five-under 67 to move within one stroke of the lead and revive hopes of a Filipina winning on the Taiwan LPGA Tour for the first time in nine years.

Bisera eagled the par-5 18th with a chip-in, then rattled off three straight birdies on Nos. 2, 3 and 4 to surge into a tie for third in the Kenda Tires TLPGA Open at Taichung International Golf Club.

Local aces Joy Chou and Yu Chiang Hou shared the lead at 66, with Bisera tied at 67 with Thai ace Nook Sukapan, Malaysian Genevieve Ling, Japanese Harumi Yoshikuwa and Taiwan veteran Ching Huang.

Bisera opened with a three-putt on No. 10 but quickly recovered with a birdie on No. 13 before producing her eagle finish. She hit 16 of 18 greens despite battling an illness that affected her driving.

“Medyo pangit ‘yung driving ko today, since medyo pangit ‘yung kondisyon ng katawan ko. Pero bumawi naman sa iron shots,” said Bisera, who missed only two greens.

The 24-year-old Davaoeña shotmaker said she stayed patient after the early setback.

“Nahihilo pa talaga ako sa umpisa. But sinabi ko lang na madami pang birdie chances kasi madami pang par-5s na naaabot,” she said.

Bisera, who has two victories and a runner-up finish on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour this season, is seeking a second overseas title after winning the Thai Ladies Masters last year.

A victory would make her the first Filipina since Pauline del Rosario in 2017 to win on the TLPGA.

“I don’t want to think about it. But I want to play my game. Gusto ko lang mag-under every day. And if I have a chance, then I will take it,” said Bisera, whose campaign is backed by ICTSI.

Chou grabbed the early lead with a pitch-in eagle on No. 2 and five more birdies, while Hou surged with a six-under 30 on the front nine.

Sarah Ababa was the next-best Filipina at 71, tied for 23rd.