Tiffany Lee surged in the middle rounds and navigated swirling winds to shake up the ICTSI Ladies Pradera Verde Championship leaderboard Tuesday.
Firing a second straight 71 at the wind-raked Pinatubo course, Lee caught overnight leader Daniella Uy, who slipped with a 74, after 36 holes. The two are now tied at 142, setting up a thrilling final round in the PHP1 million championship.
Lee rebounded from an early bogey with three birdies in a six-hole stretch from No. 7, crafting a steady 36-35 round to erase a three-stroke deficit. Uy, meanwhile, struggled with punishing conditions, closing with a two-over card.
The battle, however, is far from a two-player duel. Seoyun Kim charged into contention with the day’s best 70, moving just one stroke behind at 143. Samantha Bruce briefly grabbed the lead with a four-under card through 11 holes but stumbled late with a bogey on No. 12, a double bogey on No. 15, and another dropped shot on No. 16, settling for an even-par 72. Still, at 144, just two strokes back, the Seattle U standout remains a title threat.
With winds expected to intensify in the final 18 holes, the decisive round promises high drama as the contenders battle not just each other but also unforgiving conditions.
“The wind was really gushing – it’s an open course, and it’s really hard to manage,” said Lee, who briefly held the solo lead after 15 holes before a wayward wedge shot from 95 yards landed in a bunker, leading to a bogey.
“But I’ll stay positive and keep things simple in the final round,” added Lee, who is seeking redemption after missing the cut at the recent PH Ladies Masters. “I’m eager to win.”
Uy, who fired an opening-round 68, acknowledged her struggles in the shifting winds.
“Unlike the first round, where I made a lot of putts, I had trouble adjusting to the stronger winds,” Uy said. “I need to be more aware of yardages and club selection in the final round.”
Kim looms as a serious contender after carding five birdies against a bogey and a double bogey. Feeling better after an illness slowed her in the first round, she said she plans to focus on execution rather than the leaderboard.
“I used to focus on my score, but now I realize that the shot is more important,” she said. “I want to do my best tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Bruce must recover from her late-round struggles to stay in the hunt. Her explosive start sent shockwaves through the field, but her faltering finish underscored the need for mental toughness in a tournament where no lead is safe.
Beyond the top four, Mafy Singson (72-146), Mikha Fortuna (76-148), Chanelle Avaricio (72-149), Sarah Ababa (76-149), Rev Alcantara (71-150), and Martina Miñoza (77-150) remain within striking distance if they can deliver a strong final round.
With gusty conditions expected to wreak havoc once more, the final 18 holes will be a test of precision, patience and resilience. One thing is certain – the wind will play a decisive role in shaping the champion.
