Pauline out to rediscover winning touch

Pauline del Rosario. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Seven years since making an international splash in Taiwan, Pauline del Rosario tees it up next week at the 5-million new Taiwan dollars (around P9 million) Party Ladies Open as she seeks a second LPGA of Taiwan win.

“I have great memories there and am excited to compete with many top Asian players,” said Del Rosario, the TLPGA and Royal Open champion back in 2017.

Del Rosario spearheads a big Ladies PGT contingent that also includes Princess Superal, a fellow Epson Tour in the United States mainstay.

After that dominant 2017 season where she also won four legs in the local tour, Del Rosario has struggled. But a full season on the Epson Tour has given her the confidence to slug it out against a lot of crack Asian players starting Wednesday next week.

“I’m working with my coach to get [my swing] back on plane,” Del Rosario said. “I feel good about the adjustments, and hopefully, they’ll start to show next week.”

Taiwan’s top-ranked players Yu Ju Chen, Li Ning Wang, Cheng Hsuan Shih, and last year’s winner Ling Jie Chen, as well as talented contenders from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand are entered. Also in the field is Thailand’s PK Kongkraphan, who has won three TLPGA titles this year and has 37 career wins.