Pauline del Rosario turned in her worst round in three days – a 71 that still netted the former Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion a whopping 14-stroke victory over Daniella Uy in the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Ladies Classic on Friday in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Though she fell short in matching Princess Superal’s record 16-shot victory at Tagaytay Highlands last year, the lopsided triumph was enough to herald Del Rosario’s return to the top of the LPGT ladder after a string of mediocre finishes following a swing change in her buildup for the LPGA Tour Q-School this August.
She finished with a 12-under 204 and pocketed the top purse of R350,000 out of the total prize pot of P1.5 million in the 54-hole championship, which served as the eighth leg of a record 13-stage circuit put up by ICTSI.
“I just made sure there would be no repeat of a Thai victory this time,” said Del Rosario, referring to Thanuttra Boonraksasat’s come-from-behind win over Superal in the sixth leg at Manila Southwoods last month where she wound up joint 10th.
The Filipina ace also groped for form and settled for a share of seventh at the Manila Golf Ladies Masters two weeks ago but finally found her range, rhythm and touch with brilliant six-under and five-under cards in the first two rounds at Northwoods.