Young golf star Abby Arevalo is looking forward to bringing her A-game when she competes in the ICTSI Riviera Championship on Tuesday, December 8, at the Riviera's Langer course in Silang, Cavite.
Arevalo is aiming to rekindle the magic at the very scene of one of her biggest amateur triumphs as she seeks to supplant the highly-touted Princes Superal and nab a momentous victory just two tournaments into her pro career.
The San Jose State University product placed second to Superal in the first of two Ladies Philippine Golf Tour bubble tournaments — the ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge — at the Couples course three weeks ago.
But the ICTSI Riviera Championship brings back warm memories for the rising star, who spiked a brilliant amateur career with a thrilling victory at Riviera's Langer three years ago.
“Anything can happen at Langer, which is my favorite course in the country. I definitely have a lot of confidence playing it,” remarked Arevalo, who birdied No. 18 to nip then brand-new pro Pauline del Rosario by one and snare the LPGT Riviera crown in 2017, joining the elite roster of amateurs who have won in the country’s premier ladies circuit.
“I’ve never been so excited to come back and play Langer again. I know the course well. I won my first pro event as an amateur at Langer and I’m not afraid to do it again,” added the 2020 Philippine Ladies Open runaway champion.
She, however, remains mum what she believes are elements to be wary of in facing off against the dreaded par-71 layout where dangers lurk practically in every corner but said: “My plan is to play my own game and manage my shots well.”
Like the rest of the competitors in the P400,000, 54-hole championship put up by ICTSI, Arevalo has elected to downplay her chances but stressed her desire and determination to emerge on top on Thursday.
“I got no expectations but I know I have the ability and competence to win,” she said.
But Superal is likewise filled with confidence, vowing to go all-out for a sweep of the two LPGT tournaments in the pandemic-hit season while the likes of Pauline del Rosario, Chanelle Avaricio, Chihiro Ikeda, Marvi Monsalve, Cyna Rodriguez and Gretchen Villacencio are all prepared for a three-day test not only of shotmaking but also endurance at the up-and-down, long ravine-laced layout. (JNP)