STA. Rosa, Laguna – Pauline del Rosario carried the fight for a struggling Philippine contingent, battling through the demanding The Country Club layout to card a hard-earned 69, placing her just two strokes off Korean leader Seong Eunjeong at the start of the ICTSI Worldwide Link Philippine Ladies Masters 2025 on Wednesday.
Seong closed with a birdie on the ninth to secure a five-under 67 in one of the late flights on a scorching day. Her steady play made her the surprised solo leader, highlighting the intense and unpredictable nature of the competition.
“I started strong and finished well," said Seong after her debut at the TCC. Having lived in the country for 15 years and played frequently at Riviera near her home in Silang, she added, "But this course is really tough."
Del Rosario finishes strong
After a shaky first nine holes, Del Rosario closed in spectacular fashion, birdieing the last two holes to salvage a 34-35 card. Her clutch finish secured her a joint sixth place start as most of the local bets faltered under the course’s punishing conditions.
"I didn't do anything special to prepare for this tournament," said Del Rosario, who finished tied for 11th in Jakarta. "I just took a week off after the Indonesian Open and stuck to my usual routine – range practice and short game work."
Pattharat Rattanawan posted a five-under card after 15 holes, featuring six birdies against one bogey. However, a costly bogey on the 17th hole derailed her momentum, allowing Seong to take solo control of the US$200,000 tournament.
Rattanawan ended up with a 68, slipping to joint second with Parinda Phokan and fellow Thai Nook Sukapan and Korean Kim Nahyun, with Han Nakyoung, also from Korea, birdying the ninth to save a 69 and join del Rosario at sixth.
Meanwhile, Korean Son Yeonjung stole the spotlight with a hole-in-one on the 125-yard, par-3 sixth hole, using a pitching wedge and a Bridgestone ball No. 1, earning a $300 prize from the co-organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., along with a trophy, a TCC cap and a polo shirt from the host club.
Florence Bisera also stayed in early contention with a 71, while pro-am winner Daniella Uy shot three birdies but offset them with three bogeys, finishing with an even-par 72, in a tie with Mikha Fortuna and 13 others.
Reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion Harmie Constantino withdrew after 12 holes due to illness, following the earlier withdrawal of top Thai player PK Kongkraphan. Both players exited the last of two legs of the Korean Dream Tour series.
Del Rosario emerged as the lone Filipina in the 130-man field within striking distance of the leaders after compatriots Pamela Mariano and Dottie Ardina lost steam and finished over par.
Mariano, who initially showed promise with birdies on two of the long holes (Nos. 10 and 14), struggled to maintain momentum and wound up with a 78, placing her in a tie for 111 with the Top 60 and ties advancing to the final round.
Ardina, after a steady start with three straight pars at the back, failed to recover from two bogeys and a double bogey, finishing with a birdie-less 76 to share 61st place.
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