Abegail Arevalo yesterday said she will be thrilled if chosen to represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games slated Nov. 30-December 10.
“It will be an honor to play in the SEA Games,” said Arevalo who shared seventh place at the close of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific golf championship yesterday at the Royal Golf Club in Ibaraki, Japan.
Arevalo, a graduating psychology student at San Jose State, closed out with a two-under par 70 to finish at three-over 291, 14 shots behind Japanese winner Yuka Yasuda.
The daughter of businessman and golf professional Tony Arevalo said she wants to stay amateur before she attempts to qualify in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) or the LPGA of the Japan Tour next year.
Arevalo said aside from the SEA Games, she wants to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup Matches and the Women’s Augusta National.
After opening with a 67 Thursday, Arevalo limped home with an 81 under tough wet conditions.
“It was raining hard and the winds were strong. It was tough for everybody,” said Arevalo who played the last two rounds at one-under.
Bianca Pagdanganan, a member of the national team that won gold in the Asian Games, wound up 11th at 292 following a final round 72.
Asian Games champion Yuka Saso fired a 71 to finish in joint 17th at 296.
Clare Legaspi and Mikhaela Denise Fortuna, the other Filipinas who made the cut, shared 34th spot with identical 302. Legaspi and Fortuna returned with similar 71s.
Thailand’s Thitikul Atthaya finished second at 285 while Lee Ye Won of South Korea settled for third at 286.
