ICTSI Ladies: Rodriguez still player to beat

Cyna Rodriguez will again be the player to beat starting today when the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Ladies’ Classic tees off in Lipa City.

The well-built Rodriguez will be shooting for a second straight win—and the third in four legs overall—against the very same lean field she conquered last month in Baguio.

Jayvie Agojo and Chihiro Ikeda resume their respective quests to nail breakthrough local victories as a pro and both will have to be super sharp considering how handily Rodriguez has been beating them in the past.

At John Hay, Rodriguez won by an astounding 11 shots as she made minced meat of the up-and-down course.

This week, with length never a problem, Rodriguez is hoping that she putts well enough to hold off the field yet again. She will be coming off a Top 25 finish in a tournament n Chinese Taipei last week where her putting became a problem.

The Lobo and Malipunyo nines will be used this week.

“I’m sticking to my game plan of hitting the fairways and greens,” said Rodriguez.  “But my putter has not been my friend the past week and hopefully that will change this week.”

Focus will also be on Thai Amolkan Phalajivin, a first-timer at Malarayat.

“This is my first time to play here and I like the course,” said the Thai, who will join Ikeda and Anya Tanpinco in the 7:54 a.m. group.

Also seeing action are Korean amateur Choi Yeon Hwa, former Philippine Ladies Open champion Mary Grace Estuesta, Lucy Landicho, Sylvia Torres, Tracy Que and Eva Miñoza.