Cyna out to keep run in CJH-ICTSI

BAGUIO, Philippines   â€“ The ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour winds up its inaugural five-leg circuit starting today at the Camp John Hay course here with Cyna Rodriguez out to cap an impressive win run and Jayvie Agojo and Chihiro Ikeda seeking an end to a slump.

The three, former teammates in the ICTSI amateur squad, have been marked as the players to watch in the 54-hole championship owing to their tour record and form although they all agree that no one holds a distinct advantage at the short but tricky par-69 layout.

“It’s nobody’s home course, so it’s a matter of cashing in on the local knowledge. It’s short but very difficult,” said Ikeda, who with Agojo are hard-pressed to nail their very first victory in the circuit dominated by two players.

In contrast, Rodriguez hopes to cap her sterling pro debut in style this year after dominating the field in the last two legs of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI and backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports, Gatorade, Sharp and Custom Clubmakers.

Rodriguez, who ended her amateur career with back-to-back victories in Long Beach and Sacramento, California, marked her pro debut with an eight-shot romp over Agojo at ICTSI Eagle Ridge LPGT then beat Mia Piccio by six at Wack Wack last September.

But John Hay is expected to bring out the best – or the worst – from the field, its up-and-down layout, narrow fairways and unpredictable putting surface tipped to test the players’ stamina, shotmaking skills and mental toughness.

“Anybody has a chance to win here and the key is to make the most of the birdie chances and build some confidence,” said Agojo, who placed second to absentee Dottie Ardina at Canlubang and to Rodriguez at Eagle Ridge.

Agojo has actually scored a breakthrough pro win when she ruled the Singha LPGA in Thailand last September but the former Philippine Ladies Open champion is keen on winning a leg on the local pro tour.

Focus will also be on the crack amateurs, who are coming in full force in this year-ending tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Princess Superal, now the spearhead of Team ICTSI, headlines the multi-titled amateur players with the former Singapore Amateur champion out to improve her runner-up finish to Ardina in the tour’s kickoff leg at The Country Club. She also placed third in the Canlubang stop.

Also in the fold are reigning national matchplay champion Felicia Medalla, Junior World champion Pauline del Rosario and Abby Arevalo, who won the individual crown in the just-concluded PAL Ladies Interclub where she helped power Manila Southwoods Masters to a first-ever three-peat.