Santiwiwatthanaphong fires 63, Bisera slips at Kenda Open

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — Thailand’s Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 Thursday to seize a two-shot lead, while Yvon Bisera stumbled on the closing stretch and fell seven shots off the pace after 36 holes of the Kenda Tires TLPGA Open at Taichung International Country Club.

Santiwiwatthanaphong piled up nine birdies for an 11-under 133 total, vaulting from a tie for 17th into the lead in the TWD 4,000,000 championship co-sanctioned by the Taiwan LPGA Tour and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Local standout You Chiang Hou, who shared the first-round lead, stayed within striking distance with a 68 for 135, while South Korea’s Seulgi Jeong nearly matched Santiwiwatthanaphong’s charge with a 65 to join Hou two shots behind.

Bisera, meanwhile, appeared poised to remain firmly in contention after following her opening 67 with a steady start to the second round.

The ICTSI-backed Filipina stayed on course for her projected 9-under target, overcoming an early setback on No. 3 with three birdies that put her at 7 under for the tournament with nine holes remaining.

But her challenge unraveled on the back nine.

After five consecutive pars, Bisera ran into trouble on the par-4 15th when she missed the fairway and compounded the error with a three-putt for a double bogey.

She failed to regain momentum on the closing hole, dropping another stroke to finish with a 73.

Reflecting on the costly stretch, Bisera said the trouble began with an errant drive on No. 15, leaving her with little choice but to play out before three-putting.

“Kumaliwa yung drive ko, so nag-play-out lang ako tapos three-putts. Sa No. 18 naman, na-hit ko yung drive ko sa hazard kaya hindi ko na-save yung par,” she said.

The 1-over card sent Bisera tumbling from a share of third to a tie for 16th at 4-under 140, leaving her seven shots behind Santiwiwatthanaphong with 18 holes remaining.

Bisera acknowledged that while her driving was generally solid for most of the round, her putting let her down, particularly over the closing stretch.

“Except sa closing holes, hindi naman masyadong masama yung driving ko. Pero sobrang pangit talaga ng putting ko today – 32 putts,” she rued.

With her title hopes taking a hit, Bisera knows she will need a strong final round to get back into contention.

Still, she remained upbeat and focused on making the most of her final 18 holes.

“Gusto kong mag-under ulit tomorrow, since hindi ko nagawa today. Gusto kong bumawi bukas at sana gumana na yung putting ko,” said Bisera.

Sarah Ababa recovered with a 70 but remained well back at 141, tied for 20th.

Seoyun Kim carded a 73 for 144 and a tie for 34th, while Mafy Singson also shot a 73 to sit at 145 in a tie for 37th.

Jiwon Lee matched par with a 72 and moved to 146 for a tie for 50th as only three Filipinas and two Koreans advanced to the final round of the 16th leg of this year’s TLPGA.

The rest of the 20-player LPGT contingent failed to advance.

Kayla Nocum posted a 73 to finish at 147.

Gretchen Villacencio finished at 148 after a 70, while LK Go and Kristine Fleetwood ended at the same total after rounds of 73.

Rev Alcantara also finished at 148 after a 75.

Velinda Castil carded a 69 but wound up at 149, joined by Harmie Constantino, who shot a 74, and amateur Lisa Sarines, who returned a 75.

Chihiro Ikeda finished at 150 after a 78, while Monica Mandario ended at 151 following a 73.

Princess Superal also finished at 151 after a 74.

Amateur Mona Sarines posted a 76 for 152, while amateur Isabella Tabanas finished at 157 after a 75.

Marvi Monsalve closed with a 76 for 158, and Eunhua Nam struggled to a 79 for 160.

Santiwiwatthanaphong enters the final 18 holes with a two-shot cushion over Hou and Jeong after finishing second in last week’s Thai Ladies Masters, an event Bisera won in 2025.

The result sets up a three-way battle at the top, while Bisera and the other surviving LPGT players will need low scores in the final round to close the gap.