Phalajivin tops LPGT qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Thai Amolkan Phalajivin closed with a two-over 74 to dominate the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in Cavite yesterday.

Phalajivin assembled 224 to win the 54-hole qualifier by two shots over a charging Korean Kwon Seo Yon, who fired the final day’s best round of two-under 70 to finish second.

Kwon’s compatriot Park You Ra placed third with 227 after a final-round 74 while ICTSI amateur mainstays Samantha Martirez (78) and Mika Fortuna (83) wound up 4-5 at 231 and 236, respectively.

Japanese amateur Yuka Saso (76), Korean Kim So Yoon (80) and Filipina Ashia Marie Nocum (81) posted scores of 237, 239, and 240 to take sixth to eighth spots.

Phalajivin thus joined the cream of the crop of the country’s ladies pro crop in the eight-leg second ICTSI LPGT set to start in April at the Orchard in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Korean amateurs Kwon and Kim will also turn pro and join the circuit after finishing No. 2 and 7, respectively.

The 26-year-old Phalajivin struggled with three bogeys against a lone birdie in the front but managed a decent 35 at the finish to hold off Kwon in the elims organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

In fifth spot entering the final round, Kwon gave chase and shot a one-under 35 at the start to inch to within two off the Thai ace. But she went on to shoot just one more birdie at the back to settle for No. 2.

Park shot par after nine holes but limped home with four bogeys to slip to third overall.

Martirez had a 39-39 round, which gave her a 231, while Fortuna bucked a 42-41 card marred by an eight-over score at the par-4 No. 3 to log 236, still safe inside the 240 ceiling.

The ICTSI LPGT kicks off its eight-leg circuit on April 16-18 at the Orchard in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Cyna Rodriguez, the ICTSI LPGT’s inaugural Order of Merit winner, is expected to head the Orchard cast along with Jayvie Agojo, Lovelynn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa, Anya Tanpinco, Apple Fudolin, Tracy Que, Lucy Landicho, Heidi Chua, Mary Grace Estuesta, Sylvia Torres, Jan Punzalan, Reb Bareng, Eva Minoza, Barsy Leonen and Chihiro Ikeda.