J-Ro now ranks 23rd, secures spot in ADT

Jennifer Rosales’ impressive runner-up finish to Annika Sorenstam in the just-concluded Mizuno Classic powered the ace Filipina shotmaker from No. 30 to 23rd spot in the ADT Money Rankings, thus securing her place in the elite group of players competing in the rich ADT Championships next week.

Although she was a bit disappointed that she did not win the tournament, Rosales, a Smart endorser, remained in high spirits for having played superb golf in the three-day tournament, considering that she came into Japan hobbling from a mediocre 35th-place finish.

"It went well out there but not the way I wanted it to. But I’m pretty happy with the way I played the whole week," said Rosales, who had 16 birdies and an eagle in a record bogey-free tournament.

"It is the first time in a tournament that I didn’t make any bogeys so that is unbelievable for me," said Rosales, a two-time LPGA winner, including the SBS Open at Turtle Bay in February. "I’m hitting the ball good and I’m just happy. I am proud of myself. I am very proud."

Rosales, who headed for the United States for The Mitchell Co. Tournament of Champions slated Nov. 10-13 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Mobile, Alabama, also thanked her sponsors, including Smart, and fans for their continued support and prayers.

The feat netted Rosales a whopping $90,691 purse, raising her earnings to $491,759 as she leapfrogged from No. 30 to 23rd place in the LPGA money list.

That assured her spot in the $1 million ADT Championship, exclusively for the top 30 players in the money rankings, slated Nov. 15-20 in Florida.

The former US NCAA Division I champion and five-time winner of the RP Ladies Open is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Nov. 23 for the holidays and in time for the Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Sorenstam’s record fifth straight win in the Mizuno Classic also put her beyond reach on No.1 with earnings of $2,373,240, almost twice as the $1,480, 639 winnings of second running Paula Creamer, winner of two tournaments this year, including the Evian Masters. — Dante Navarro