Several players were forced to pull out during the second round of the ICTSI Luisita Ladies International failing to overcome the scorching and winless conditions at the at the Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines. However, Thailand’s P. K. Kongkraphan stood determined in the heat and carded a 6-under 66 to herself a one-shot lead at 7-under 137 with just 18 holes to go.

Overnight leader, Taiwan’s Chen Hsuan (陳萱) shot a 2-under 70 to step down as solo second at 138. Punpaka Phuntumabamrung also carded a 70, keeping her winning chances up at 140 in solo third.

Florence Yvon Bisera carries the local hopes with a second-round 71, putting her in a tie for fourth at 2-under 142 with Taiwan’s Wu Chih-Yun (吳芷昀) and Thai player Wad Phaewchimplee.

The 2024 ICTSI Luisita Ladies International, presented by International Container Terminal Services Inc., is co-sanctioned by the TLPGA Tour and LPGT (Ladies Philippine Golf Tour), featuring a US$100,000 purse.

“I do feel the Luisita course plays a lot like those from Thailand. So, after a day to settle into the conditions, I tried to be a little more aggressive right from the tees,” said Thai champion P. K. Kongkraphan, who had a minor hiccup before the finish line on the 17th but had already picked up seven birdies along the way. “I was doing well on the greens. I got more used to the speed there so my putter was a lot better than yesterday.”

Chen Hsuan’s level dropped a bit compared to yesterday’s when she pocketed six birdies. “My putting was not at my best today. There were so many 6 or 7-footers out there that were just crossing the cup without falling in,” said Chen, who was fighting not just the pressure to retain the lead, but an aching wrist which she hadn’t got the time to fully recover.

Phuntumabamrung, who started on the 10th hole and committed a bogey right away, played herself into form and finally returned to the top-3 with only a three-shot deficit. “I made another 70, just as yesterday, but I felt my game was improving. I was hitting more fairways, putting myself in better position on the greens,” she said.

Wu Chih-Yun also made a bogey start, struggling all day with her driver. She was intentionally targeting away from the green-side pond on the 14th hole but still got caught. “I was just happy that my putter held up well, that I could be where I am,” said Wu, who needed only 28 attempts on the greens and returned an even-par 72. Wu came back to the practice range right after the round to hopefully give the leaders something to worry on the final day. She in now five shot backs at 142.

Kotona Tateura took out her 6-iron and aced Hole No.6 from 152 yards away. However, she could only finish the second round with a 1-over 73 and narrowly missed the cut by one shot. Only 43 players who were at 7-over 151 or better prevailed to play for a share of the prize in the final round of the US$100,000 event.

This week marks the 15th reunion of the TLPGA Tour and LPGT since the friendship commenced in 2015 at the ICTSI Ladies Open, which was TLPGA Tour’s first oversea co-sanction after it was accepted into the WWGR (World Women’s Golf Rankings) system.