Aoki Classic gets underway

THE lady golfers of the Philippine Golf Tour return to action on Wednesday as they compete in the ICTSI Aoki Classic at Eagle Ridge, in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

Although Harmie Constantino looks to have a psychological edge, having marked her pro debut with a victory over Princess Superal in no less than at the Isao Aoki-designed layout last March, the title chase is set to go down-to-the-wire in the third restart of the country’s premier ladies circuit with the multi-titled Superal out of the picture with her decision to resume her own campaign in Japan.

The rest of the field with the likes of Chanelle Avaricio, Daniella Uy, Sunshine Baraquiel, Lovelyn Guioguio, Apple Fudolin and Marvi Monsalve are all excited to nail the elusive win in the event marking the LPGT resumption after its second postponement due to the spike of coronavirus cases in NCR Plus last July.

But it will also be a question of shotmaking and putting with former leg winners Chihiro Ikeda and Sarah Ababa also hopeful to get into the podium again on Friday while Shery Villasencio, Pamela Mariano, Eva Miñoza, Florence Bisera and Majorie Pulumbarit spice up the cast in the P750,000 event put up by ICTSI.

Constantino gets an early test for her back-to-back title bid at Aoki as she drew LPGA of Taiwan Tour veteran Uy and Baraquiel at 8:06 a.m. behind the group of Avaricio, Ikeda and Zhang with Monsalve clashing with Villasensio and Mariano at 8:18 a.m.

Avaricio is also due for a big finish after being foiled twice by Superal at Sherwood Hills and Eagle Ridge-Norman last July, while the long break is expected to have helped Ikeda heal a hand injury that has hampered her past performances. (JNP)