Pauline del Rosario emerged slightly steadier than Harmie Constantino and Florence Bisera in a turbulent finish, salvaging a gritty 73 to forge a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final 18 holes of the ICTSI Ladies Villamor Philippine Masters Thursday, May 23.
That sets the stage for a day-long battle of wits and nerves among three of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s top players. Del Rosario, trailing for much of the round, managed to limit her mistakes to just one bogey in the last four holes, finishing with a 37-36 round and putting herself in contention for another Tour crown.
Constantino, who erased a three-stroke deficit overnight with a frontside 35, faltered down the stretch with bogeys on No. 15 and a double bogey on the next hole to card a 74. Despite this, she remains on track for a third consecutive victory on a course she knows well, having triumphed in the Match Play Championship and in this event in the past two years.
Bisera reeled back with a 39 after nine holes but regained the lead momentarily despite a bogey on the 15th. However, she slipped into a tie for the lead with a last-hole mishap, finishing with a 77.
Constantino worked her way to the top with an impressive one-under card on the front nine. Despite a bogey on No. 10 and a birdie on the 12th, she struggled to maintain her lead, faltering towards the end.
Constantino, the back-to-back winner at Palos Verdes and Caliraya Springs.
However, she quickly downplayed her chances for a third straight win, adding: “I have no expectations for tomorrow, I’ll just enjoy playing.”
Despite wresting the first round lead and barely retaining it, Bisera acknowledged her struggle with the challenging Villamor course.
Her difficulty became evident after a start of four pars as she ran into trouble on No. 5.
A thrilling finish could be in the works as Seoyun Kim stayed just a stroke behind at 148 despite a 77 while Mikha Fortuna pooled a 149 after a 75, ensuring a spirited battle for top honors in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and supported by Kampfortis Golf.
Apo leg winner Sarah Ababa shot a 76 for a 151, Chihiro Ikeda and Gretchen Villacencio matched 152s after a 77 and 78, respectively, while Apple Fudolin and Lois Kaye Go took the next two spots at 155 and 157 after 79 and 75, respectively.
