Constantino guns for second straight win

TAGAYTAY—With her game sharp and her confidence at a high, Harmie Constantino shoots for a second straight win starting on Tuesday when the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s (LPGT) P750,000 ICTSI Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Challenge tees off in the chilly vacation capital.

Setting off against the same field she conquered at Eagle Ridge last week, Constantino is the hands-down woman to beat over the up-and-down, wind-swept layout that will pose a whole new different challenge to the lean field.

“I’m expecting well from myself,” said Constantino, after wrapping up another practice round on Monday. “I hope I could play Highlands the same way I played Aoki.”

Mafy Singson, the amateur who lost to Constantino by one in Gen. Trias in Cavite last Friday, also obviously would want to do better this week as she tries to put her name alongside a very few who won an LPGT leg before turning pro.

Different challenge

The Highlands layout is not the typical championship course where brute power could sometimes spell the difference. It requires a lot of precision shots off the tees with many blind holes and speed of greens that differ every hole.

And the wind that blows from all directions at this time of year will also be a factor.

Chihiro Ikeda, Sunshine Baraquiel, Daniella Uy and Chanelle Avaricio are the other players worth watching, with Avaricio getting a good start of sorts after scoring an ace at the par-3 ninth hole using a 9-iron from 128 yards.

The tour, one of only a handful of events being played during this pandemic, takes a break next week before it goes back to Cavite, in Silang this time, for two straight legs at Riviera.