CYNA Rodriguez, frustrated the last time out by an amateur ace in a playoff, looms as the player to beat when the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Classic gets going today in Silang, Cavite.
After falling short against Princess Superal at Wack Wack, Rodriguez resumes her quest for a first title for the year against basically the same field that she outclassed in Mandaluyong only to be frustrated by the amateur star in sudden death.
Rodriguez won four of the eight legs disputed last year on the way to the Order of Merit championship, but a new diet has slowed her down early this year.
Jayvie Agojo, the petite veteran, will go all out to successfully defend the only title she has won since jumping to the pros, with Chihiro Ikeda still looking for a breakthrough triumph.
Agojo, a multiple winner in the amateurs, is also playing well of late, finishing inside the top 10 in the last two tournaments this season. She was 16th in the foreign-flavored Ladies Open in February.
“My wrist is feeling better now,” Agojo said. “I’m raring to play and contend again.”
Kim So-un and Oh Yeji of Korea, American Cristina Corpus and England’s Sarah Henderson will add international flavor to the event. Musong R. Castillo