Ardina, Superal lead Philippine charge in Singapore Open

MANILA, Philippines – Dottie Ardina and Princess Superal head a strong five-player Philippine contingent in the Singapore Women’s Open, hoping to make an early surge against a formidable cast in the $1.8-million championship reeling off Thursday, March 7, at the Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines course.

Ardina, a seasoned campaigner in both the LPGA and Epson Tours who tied for seventh in the recent LPGA Tour of Taiwan, launches her drive in the first group featuring Korean Nayoung Kim and local talent Sockhwee Koh at 7:40 a.m. on No. 1, aiming to capitalize on favorable conditions and establish momentum for the crucial stretch ahead.

Joining her in the title hunt against some of the region’s leading pros and amateurs are ICTSI stablemates Superal, Daniella Uy and Rianne Malixi, along with Samantha Bruce.

Heading the 108-player roster is Thai ace and major winner Patty Tavatanakit, back-to-back winner of the Saudi Ladies International and the Honda LPGA Thailand recently. She drew Koreans Yewon Lee and Jiyoung Park at 12:45 p.m. on No. 1.

Also in the fold are Thai LPGA campaigners Natthakritta Vongtaveelap and Jaravee Boonchant with amateur Eila Galitsky, winner of last year’s Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at the Singapore Island Country Club, also fancied to crowd the pros for top honors in the four-day championship, which also serves as the kick-off leg of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour (KLPGA Tour) and part of the Ladies Asian Tour Series.

Superal, who upstaged some of the world’s best to win the Asia Pacific Cup in 2022, is also gearing up for the Japan Step Up Tour and is grateful for the opportunity to compete in this top-class event on a sponsor’s invitation.

Expressing enthusiasm about the event, the 26-year-old Superal also looks forward to learning from the in-form Tavatanakit.

“I’m glad to be competing in this event once again,” said Superal, who tied for 61st in the inaugural staging of the event in 2022. “It’s an excellent opportunity for me to study other players’ strategies and enhance my game play.”

“I’m particularly eager to learn from Patty, who has been in outstanding form lately,” she added.

Uy, preparing for the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in Davao next week, faces a challenging match against Koreans Joo Mi Lee and Dabeen Heo at 1:30 p.m. on No. 10, while Superal also tangles with a pair of Koreans in Jaehee Kim and Gyeol Park at 12:05 p.m. on the first hole.

Focus will also be on Malixi, who is seeking another overseas championship after her breakthrough in Australia last January. The country’s top amateur starts at 8:10 a.m. at the backside with Sunju Ahn and Doyeong Park, both of Korea.

Bruce, on the other hand, clashes with Koreans Soo Bin Jung and Seungyeon Lee at 8:55 a.m., also on the first hole of the challenging par-72 layout.