ICTSI Open tees off; Rosales leads PH charge

MANILA, Philippines—Jennifer Rosales makes her much-anticipated return to the local scene Wednesday when she leads the local challenge in the $75,000 (P3.3 million) ICTSI Ladies Open at the tight Southlinks layout in Las Piñas.

The 36-year-old, a two-time winner on the US LPGA Tour and former World Cup champion, hasn’t played on local soil in almost two decades and will undoubtedly be the star of the tournament.

Rosales skipped the pro-am yesterday but kept herself in shape, hitting for a couple of hours at Villamor Driving Range in Pasay.

“I’m ready to go and I am hoping to have a good start,” Rosales said.

The Philippines has a formidable roster of talent that will be facing some of the region’s finest in the event that is also the fourth leg of the tough Taiwan LPGA.

Dottie Ardina is also competing and is a perfect 3-for-3 on the ICTSI Tour, while Cyna Rodriguez, the Order of Merit titlists the first two years, will be trying to make a solid impression against a formidable international field.

“It’s good that we have plenty of them (foreigners),” Rosales said. “That should motivate the Filipino players to play more intense and they should be on their toes always.”

Taiwan’s Liang Yi-ling, meanwhile, led her team composed of amateur guests Butch Santos, Jops Melrosa and Tess Yap to the pro-am victory with a 14-under 58.

Amolkan Phalajivin of Thailand, the first foreigner to win on the local tour after topping the Splendido leg last year, powered her squad made up of Louie Bustamante, Zardi Abellera and Roberto Reyes to second with a 59.