LK Go fell short in her bronze medal bid Sunday, closing out with a 70 for 215 and ending up fourth in women’s individual play in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at the Heron Lake Golf Course.
Thai Natthakritta Vongtaveelap cruised to the gold medal with a four-under 68, capping her brilliant 54-hole performance she spiked with back-to-back 67s for a whopping 14-under 202 total.
Singapore’s Aloysa Atienza Mabutas provided the final day fireworks as she scorched the par-72 layout with a tournament-best 65 to rally from joint fourth and snatch the silver medal on a 209 total that included a 74 and 70.
Malaysia’s Jeneath Wong fired a 69 for the bronze with 209.
Go wound up six strokes farther back at fourth at 215, her bid stymied by a shaky 76 in the first round. She bounced back strong with a second round 69 but failed to sustain her charge in the last 18 holes and settled for a two-under card.
Mafy Singson, who also fought back with a 70 Saturday, struggled with a 73 and finished with 219 while ICTSI teammate Rianne Malixi finally broke par but her 71 could only net her a total of 221, marred by a 76 and 74.
Malaysian Ervin Chang and Amadeus Susanto of Indonesia foiled the Thais’ bid for a sweep of individual gold medals as the former nipped the latter in sudden death to snare the coveted trophy in men’s play.
The 22-year-old Chang, who had earlier vowed to win the gold before turning pro, did just that, battling back from three down with a closing 69 to force a playoff at 209 with Susanto, 19, who carded a 68.
Susanto settled for the silver while Thai Weerawish Narkprachar took the bronze with a 210 after a 70 as erstwhile leader Asit Areephan crumbled under pressure and blew a three-stroke lead with a 73 after a 72 and 66. He wound up tied for fourth with compatriot Ratchanon Chantananuwat, who fired a 69, at 211.
The Filipino bets failed to gain ground, with Jed Dy ending up with a 222 after a 72, Jet Hernandez winding up with 224 after a 78 and Gab Manotoc floundering with a 79 for a 228. Kristoffer Arevalo hobbled home with a second 78 for 235.
The chase for team gold starts Monday with the quarterfinals, also at the Heron Lake layout, where seedings are based on the players’ finishes in individual play.
The semis will be held Tuesday with the gold and bronze medal matches set for Wednesday.
