Rosales: Only a matter of time

Jennifer Rosales narrowly missed what could have been one of the biggest triumphs by a Filipino in the international sports scene but her joint fourth place finish in the Women’s British Open definitely underscored her great talent and augured well for a breakthrough victory in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Rosales, the five-time Philippine Ladies Amateur Open champion, won $64,528 (around P3.3 million) for her effort, raising her total earnings in the current LPGA season to $263,890 (P13.6 million).

The 23-year-old Filipina shotmaker put herself in a good position to win the Women’s British Open, one of the five major tournaments in the LPGA calendar, when she seized a share of the lead with Sweden’s Carin Koch after the penultimate round on a personal-best and course record-tying seven-under-par 65 at the Ailsa course in Turnberry, Scotland.

But she struggled with a closing one-over 73 for an 11-under 277 total Sunday and had to settle for a share of fourth place behind eventual champion Karrie Webb and second placers Michelle Ellis and Paula Marti.

Still it was her best finish in 19 starts in the season and it came at the height of an impressive campaign for the former US NCAA champion.

Before the Women’s British Open, Rosales finished seventh at the US Women’s Open then wound up 10th at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. Her other Top 10 finish in the season was fifth at the Wegmans Rochester.

Fil-Am Dorothy Delasin had a poor closing round of three-over 75 for a total of two-under 286 and a share of 26th place. She pocketed $14,284 (P.6 million).

Brandishing new-found confidence following a sort of swing revamp in the off-season, Rosales is predicted to be on the verge of a first LPGA tour victory.

"I know she is due for a win and I thought it would be in the British Open. Hinayang na hinayang nga ako,’’ said Bong Lopez, Jennifer’s personal coach.

"Sayang but it’s a good showing and I think it won’t be long before she wins a tournament. Her confidence is back, pati laro niya balik na rin," said Gerald Rosales, Rosales’ elder brother who is also a pro golfer and who once in a while caddied for her.

Lopez worked on Jennifer’s swing during the LPGA off-season late last year but the golf teaching pro gave more credit to Gerald on Jennifer’s marked improvement in her game.

"The biggest factor why Jenny has been playing consistently is Gerald. He’s a "calming influence" to her. He also helped in correcting some flaws in her swing. That further reinforced her confidence," said Lopez of Gerald, who carried Jennifer’s bag in four tournaments, including the US Open.

"Jennifer in the past had a short fuse. Madaling magalit, impatient. Gerald changed all that. He is not only a big brother but also an idol and that helped a lot," Lopez added.

Gerald is back at home but is set to leave Sunday for a five-tournament swing in the Asian Professional Golf Association with stops in Taiwan, Korea and China.

On Jennifer’s new swing, Lopez said: "She kept on asking about her swing and I said, okay na, laro ka na lang ng laro. She’s basically a talented golfer but her confidence waned earlier in the season. But with the new change in her back swing, her confidence gradually came back."

Jennifer is set to play the remainder of the LPGA season. She’s also scheduled to compete in three tournaments in Korea and Japan.

Rosales completed four days with a 69-70-65-73.

The long-hitting Filipina pro couldn’t fire up her game with pars in the first five holes until she bogeyed the sixth. A birdie on the next hole was negated by a bogey on the ninth for a 37.

She bogeyed the 10th and coasted to a par game the rest of the way for a 36 and a 73.