Amateurs Singson, Duque spice up Riviera contest

Mafy Singson and Laurea Duque put their budding rivalry on showcase as they gun for the ICTSI Riviera ladies Championship and the top amateur label that goes with performing well in the tournament that tees of on Wednesday.

The country’s top rising stars battle the pros with the testy and hazard-laden Langer course serving as a fitting backdrop. The duo, along with Arnie Taguines, Eagle Ace Superal and Anna Fernandez, have been providing a refreshing challenge to the touring ladies of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) in the pandemic-hit season.

Singson, in fact, has crowded the pros for the top podium finish in the last three Ladies PGT tournaments but has been unsuccessful in her title bid because of wobbly performances down the stretch. She placed second at Eagle Ridge-Aoki, ended up fifth at Highlands and tied for fourth at Riviera-Couples.

Duque, the low amateur at Aoki last March, also put herself in strong contention at Couples but tripped on two backside bogeys. She also blew the lead in the battle for low amateur honors on a closing double-bogey and ended up sixth, enabling Singson to extend her domination of the ranks for the third straight tournament.

“We’re still in the bubble, so I can’t go out to practice. But I guess I’ll just do workout and stretching and get enough rest,” said Singson.

Despite her last-hole mishap at Couples, Duque said she’s enjoying top form, which she expects to flaunt this week for another crack at a first overall championship.

“I’m really playing well,” she said. “Let’s just see where it takes.”