Korean lass seeks back-to-back at LPGT Southwoods

MANILA, Philippines - Amateur Hwang Min Jeong tries to close out the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour season in style, shooting for a second straight victory in the P.5 million Manila Southwoods Ladies Classic unfolding Tuesday at Southwoods’ Legends course in Carmona, Cavite.

Hwang humbled Cyna Rodriguez and fellow amateur ace Princess Superal in a thrilling finish to snare the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Classic crown last month with the 14-year-old Korean looming as the player to beat in this closing leg of the eight-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But she will be as much tested as the rest of the field in the upcoming 54-hole tournament, which includes eight Thailand players out to duplicate their compatriot Meechai Wichanee’s title romp at Splendido last April.

Saraporn Chamchoi, for one, sets out with a personal mission of ending a string of heartbreak finishes in the country’s premier ladies circuit this year.

Other Thai players tipped to join the chase for top honors are Sarauttaya Ngam-usawan, Mookharin Ladgratok, Wannasiri Sirisampant, Jaruporn Palakawongnaayuttawa, Chayuda Singhsuwan, Chattarat Chatwarrarat and Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang, who tied Chamchoi at third at Luisita.

But focus will still be on the young Hwang, a Grade 9 student at Holy Infant School in Muntinlupa, who will be trying to become only the double leg winner in the circuit put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and backed by Nike Golf, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp.

The other amateurs hoping to put one over the pros are national team mainstay Yuka Saso, Alex Etter, Koh Euna, also of Korea, Ashia Nocum, Isabela Miravite and veteran internationalist Annika Cedo.