Wide-open battle looms in ICTSI Aoki Classic

MANILA, Philippines — The title chase in the third restart of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour next week suddenly turned wide open as multi-titled Princess Superal withdrew from the ICTSI Aoki Classic at Eagle Ridge to embark on a Japan mission.

Superal was actually all set to go for a third championship after sweeping the Sherwood Hills and Eagle Ridge-Norman legs last July before the circuit went on another hiatus due to the spike of coronavirus cases in NCR Plus last July.

But the 2019 LPGT Order of Merit winner received her Japanese visa the other day, paving the way for her re-entry in the first stage of three qualifying tournaments for the LPGA of Japan Tour and Step Up Tour set Nov. 23-26 in Gunma Prefecture, Mie Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture.

That sets up an exciting, wide-open battle for top honors in the P750,000 Aoki Classic firing off Nov. 3 with no player holding a distinct advantage over the other, mainly due to lack of competitive play the last three months.

But the compact field has stayed in shape during the hiatus through regular practice and range forays although actual competition remains a far more different arena for these touring ladies.

Harmie Constantino has an added push as she would be heading back to the very site where she marked her pro debut with a victory.