MANILA, Philippines - Team North seems to enjoy the edge in manpower but the South squad is raring to prove its worth, guaranteeing a slam-bang action in the inaugural Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s The Duel which fires off tomorrow at Cangolf’s South Course in Laguna.
With Cyna Rodriguez and Jayvie Agojo as spearheads, the Northerners hope to use their full might in the foursomes (alternate shot), four-ball (best ball) and stamp their class in the singles matches set in the final day of the three-day event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Rodriguez won two legs in the inaugural ICTSI LPGT and nipped Agojo to claim the coveted Order of Merit crown. The duo, also both former Philippine Ladies Open champions, will be backstopped by another pair of former PLO winners Heidi Chua and Mary Grace Estuesta.
Completing the North roster are Reb Bareng, Majorie Pulumbarit, Jan Punzalan, Lucy Landicho and Lina de Guzman.
Chihiro Ikeda, also a former PLO champion and SEA Games gold medalist, hopes to fire up the South squad in the tournament backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp. The other members of the team are Sarah Ababa, Apple Fudolin, Lovelynn Guioguio, Barsy Leonen, Eva Minoza, Anya Tanpinco and Sylvia Torres.
The sponsoring International Container Terminal Services, Inc. is putting up the event, backed my media partners Studio 23, Balls, Pinoy Golfer and Impact Magazine with Event Captain, Inc. as event manager, in response to the lady pros’ clamor of staging their own Ryder Cup-showdown following the two-year success of the men’s version of The Duel.
It also serves as ICTSI’s way of appreciating the huge success of the inaugural ladies pro tour with a promise of a bigger circuit next year with hopes of inviting top foreign players in the region.
Four matches are slated each for the foursomes and fourball in the first two days with the singles – eight matches – set Friday. The first team to win 8.5 points clinches the Duel.