Five-woman race seen at LPGT Valley

Sunshine Baraquiel, after several failed stints abroad, will be a more experienced player when she tees off Wednesday at the start of the ICTSI Valley Golf Ladies Challenge of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) as she seeks a long-overdue follow up to her maiden pro victory last year.

“Hopefully my learnings from the past months help me play well this week,” the 30-year-old, whose only win came at Tagaytay Highlands, said. “I got so much exposure competing abroad against many great players.”

Baraquiel, together with Chihiro Ikeda and Harmie Constantino, are listed as the pro favorites in the P750,000, 540-hole championship at the challenging South course.

Decorated amateurs Rianne Malixi and Mafy Singson are also entered and are tipped as players to watch as well.

Constantino is also coming off fresh from stints abroad, finishing tied for 30th in the SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking in Thailand.

Ikeda, meanwhile, ruled the last LPGT leg at Aoki in Eagle Ridge and said that she has spent most of the last two months sharpening her game for a test as tough as Valley South.

Arevalo ties for 38th

Abby Arevalo of the Philippines, meanwhile, submitted a third straight two-under-par 70 on Sunday to finish tied for 38th spot in the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic of the Epson Tour in Pendleton, Oregon.

The 23-year-old drained four of her five birdies in the back nine for a 54-hole 212 tally, 12 shots behind winner, the United States’ Daniela Iacobelli, who closed out with a 66.

Arevalo is seeing as much action as she can to continue preparing for Stage Two of the Ladies Professional Golf Association Qualifying series that will happen next month. INQ