Dominating display by Singapore women
3rd June, Singapore: Singapore women put in a dominating display in the Women's Open Masters Round 1 finals of the 44th Singapore International to take the top three positions on Friday evening at Orchid Bowl @ Orchid Country Club.
Asian Championship Doubles gold medalist, Daphne Tan got off to a cracking start with a sizzling 258 in her opening game to lead the field of 30 finalists and ahead of Shayna Ng in second and Jazreel Tan third.
Daphne continued to set a blistering pace reeling in 218 and 202 in the next two games as Jazreel kept close to the leader in second. Daphne kept the lead despite managing only 189 in the fourth game.
While Daphne and Jazreel were fighting for the lead, another Singapore national bowler, Bernice Lim slowly hauled herself into contention for the lead with several big games.
By the sixth game, it was clear that Bernice struck the sweet note which saw her take over the running. She went on to end the round with 1712, 6 pins ahead of Daphne in second with 1706 while Jazreel finished third with 1691.
"I didn't have the best of starts but fortunately I made some adjustments to line up the lanes much better and to get better carry," said the 19-year-old sports psychology student at NTU.
"I'm happy with my performance today and it's good to be in the top 5 which was my target before the finals. Hopefully I can carry my form forward into the next round and making the stepladder finals."
Chinese Taipei's Wang Ya Ting bowled consistently to clinch fourth spot with 1682 ahead of two Indonesian, Sharon Limansantoso and Tannya Roumimper in fifth and sixth positions.
The last time Singapore had retained the women's crown was when Cherie Tan won in 2009 at SuperBowl SAFRA Mount Faber. Prior to that, ex-national, Evelyn Chan won it in 2003 at the Victor's Superbowl.
Top qualifier and newly-crowned Malaysian Open champion, Zandra Aziela of Malaysia struggled in this round to end in 16th position while defending champion, Sin Li Jane faired slightly better in 11th.
Amercian Kelly Kulick had a roller coaster ride but did well to finish in the top 10. Other Singapore women were Shayna Ng (7th), Ilma Nur Jannah (18th) New Hui Fen (19th), Cherie Tan (20th), Geraldine Ng (21st), Amanda Ng (24th) and Kristel Oh (25th).
The women will resume with the second round tomorrow over another 8 games with pins carried forward from today's round. The top 4 finishers at the end of the two rounds will advance to the stepladder grand finals.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Singapore.