Constantino catches hot-starting Avaricio at 70; Kim in pursuit

DAVAO CITY – Harmie Constantino and Chanelle Avaricio matched two-under 70s in contrasting fashion in a windy Tuesday here, erasing what initially looked like a dominant opening round for Avaricio and setting the stage for a wide-open title race at the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic. Constantino surged into a share of the first round lead by holing out with a birdie on the 18th, capitalizing just moments after Avaricio stumbled with a costly miscue on No. 17. The dramatic finish locked the pair at the top of the leaderboard, just one stroke ahead of South Korea’s Kim Seoyun, who missed forcing a three-way deadlock after a late mistake on the front nine, settling for a 71 at the Apo Golf and Country Club. With Princess Superal carding a 73, and Yvon Bisera, Daniella Uy and amateur Johanna Uyking at joint fifth with 74, another pressure-packed battle loomed in the last 36 holes of the P1.25 million championship wrapping up the eight-leg Ladies Philippine Golf Tour. Rev Alcantara struggled with a 76 for joint eighth with Sarah Ababa, while Tffany Lee saw her hopes of a stronger finish take a hit after an error-strewn backside 41, leaving her with a 77. For a while, Avaricio, coming...