Midlands last stop for top prize

The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour heads to the last stop of its five-leg swing when it tees off at Tagaytay Midlands on Dec. 14 with those seeking a breakthrough hoping to jump on a trend.

The Tour produced first-time winners at Highlands (Sunshine Baraquiel) and Riviera’s Couples (Chanelle Avaricio) and Langer (Daniella Uy) courses with the likes of Gretchen Villacencio, Marvi Monsalve, Florence Bisera, Pamela Mariano and Apple Fudolin hoping to also become a first-time winner at ICTSI Midlands Classic.

With multititled Princess Superal, who swept the Sherwood and Eagle Ridge-Norman titles last July before the circuit took another break due to pandemic, opting to campaign elsewhere, Harmie Constantino looked to dominate right on her maiden pro season with back-to-back victories at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last March and last month.

But new winners emerged in the next three tournaments.

In the three title runs, Chihiro Ikeda figured in the hunt but the Filipino-Japanese came up short on each occasion, either winding up solo second or joint runner-up, thus also making her the player to watch at Midlands.

Villacencio, whose best finish was second to Superal at Riviera Couples in 2019, placed fifth at Langer with Monsalve posting another seventh-place effort. But no player has a distinct advantage at Midlands, which offers a combination of tests from the weather to its hazards and its unpredictable surface, ensuring a wild chase for top honors.