INQUIRER Sports

THINGS HAVE ALL FALLEN INTO PLACE for Chihiro Ikeda the past two years that many of those close to her believe she?s ready to take the biggest step in her golfing career?try her luck in the LPGA.

No less than Jennifer Rosales, the first Filipino to play in the Ladies Professional Golf Association, says that Ikeda has the length off the tee and the right mind-set to compete for a playing card in the tour.

Ikeda, who averages 260 yards on her drive, powered the Philippine team to a golden double at the recent Laos Southeast Asian Games.

The 18-year-old won the individual gold and then helped Mia Piccio and Dottie Ardina win the team championship in a gripping finale against regional power Thailand.

?I think Chihiro is ready to qualify for the LPGA,? said Rosales, the former five-time RP Ladies champ. ?She has the length to compete in the LPGA.?

Rosales knows whereof she speaks, having won twice in the LPGA?the first Filipino to achieve such a feat. She ruled the Chick Fil-A Classic in 2004 and the 2005 SBS Open.

Dorothy Delasin is the other Filipina campaigner in the LPGA.

Ikeda actually bared her plans for a stint in the LPGA qualifying in September next year. She said the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November could be her last as an amateur.

?She (already) has the experience after winning a number of major events,? Rosales said.

Rosales, incidentally, is also bracing for a big comeback next season after being hampered by hand injuries the last couple of years.