Tanpinco cruises to RI Open golf lead

KARAWACI, Banten: Filipino teenager Ana Imelda Tanpinco emerged from the pack to take a three-stroke lead on Wednesday in the Indonesia Ladies Amateur Open golf championship.

The 15 year old -- part of a fourway tie with compatriot Deborah Marie De Villa, Indonesian national team golfer Juriah and Agnes Retno Sudjasmin of Damai Indah Golf on 77 after Tuesday's opening round -- hit an even par 72 for the outright lead.

Tied for second at 152 are Juriah and Lidya Ivana Jaya, another member of the national team headed to the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in the Philippines in November.

The former carded a three-over 75 while Lidya rebounded from putting problems in the opening round to give herself a chance in Thursday's final round.

Retno fell out of the running with an 81 on Wednesday.

Singaporean teen phenom Heng Su-Ann, 17, who is also a contender for the SEAG, hit a five-over 77 for a 36-hole total of 156.

The tournament ends on Thursday with two awards: the Srikandi Cup for the best gross total and Kartini Cup for the net event. -- JP