STA. ROSA, Laguna — Pauline del Rosario carried the fight for the struggling Philippine contingent, battling through the demanding layout of The Country Club to card a hard-earned 69, placing her just one stroke off the clubhouse leaders at the start of the ICTSI Worldwide Link Philippine Ladies Masters 2025 here on Wednesday.
After a shaky stretch on the front nine, the backside of her game, Del Rosario closed in spectacular fashion, birdieing the last two holes to salvage a 34-35 card. Her clutch finish secured her a provisional sixth place as most local bets faltered under the course’s punishing conditions.
"I didn't do anything special to prepare for this tournament," said Del Rosario, who finished tied for 11th in Jakarta. "I just took a week off after the Indonesian Open and stuck to my usual routine – range practice and short game work."
The first Filipina to win on the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) in 2017, Del Rosario got off to an impressive start with three birdies against a bogey in her first 11 holes from the back nine of the 6,337-yard layout. She positioned herself among the early frontrunners before stumbling with a bogey on the tough par-4 fifth hole, momentarily slipping down the leaderboard.
Undeterred, she regained her composure with two steady pars before mounting a strong comeback. At the par-5 eighth, she skillfully hacked her approach from 25 yards to within six feet and confidently sank the putt. She followed up with another clutch six-footer on No. 9 after a precise 130-yard approach, firmly re-establishing herself among the top contenders in the $200,000 tournament.
Thai Parinda Phokan came agonizingly close to seizing the outright lead but faltered on the demanding par-4 18th with a three-putt miscue, settling for a 68 in what could have been a commanding start to the championship. The late bogey dampened her momentum in this fiercely competitive event, where confidence is key.
“My driving was strong, and my short game was nearly flawless, with an impressive up-and-down success rate,” said Phokan, whose birdie blast on the par-3 11th fueled her blazing start.
She praised the course, calling it "near-perfect," and added, “The fairways and greens are in excellent condition – almost perfect.”
Kim Nahyun took full advantage of the early morning conditions, thriving in the calm atmosphere to fire a 68 for a clubhouse share of the lead with Phokan with 17 flights still to complete play at press time.
They include Chanelle Avaricio and Florence Bisera, who carded one-under rounds after 12 and 15 holes for joint 19th, while Mikha Fortuna matched par 72 for a share of 27th spot.
Meanwhile, Kayla Nocum had an even-par card after 12 holes, while Marvi Monsalve and Kristine Fleetwood posted one-over rounds after 12 and 15 holes, respectively.
Pro-am winner Daniella Uy shot three birdies but offset them with three bogeys, finishing with an even-par 72, trailing the leaders by four strokes.
Reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion Harmie Constantino withdrew after 12 holes due to illness, following the earlier withdrawal of top Thai player PK Kongkraphan. Both players exited the last two legs of the Korean Dream Tour series. PR
