National players Rianne Malixi and Mafy Singson take time out from their respective overseas campaigns to reinforce a compact pro field in the ICTSI Valley Golf Ladies Challenge.
The P750,000 tournament unfolds beginning Wednesday at the Valley Golf Club’s South course in Antipolo with Chihiro Ikeda seeking a third leg championship after winning at Mt. Malarayat last May and at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last July.
Also in the cast are two-leg winner Harmie Constantino and Sunshine Baraquiel, who are both coming off stints abroad, along with Marvi Monsalve, Sarah Ababa, Gretchen Villacencio, Lovelynn Guioguio and young guns Martina Miñoza, Kristine Fleetwood and Pamela Mariano.
Malixi, who humbled multi-titled Princess Superal at Luisita in the kickoff leg of this year’s LPGT last March, is fresh from a three-month campaign in the United States where he gained American Junior Golf Association and world ranking points.
“I’ve been prepping for this tournament with my dad (Roy),” said Malixi. “I’ve also played the South course several times so I’m quite familiar with it.”
ICTSI teammate Singson, who topped the Splendido Taal leg, also last May, also won a top junior tournament in Florida last June, and saw action in the World Amateur Golf Team Championship in France.
The other amateurs in the field in the eighth leg of the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit are Eagle Ace Superal, Abigail Abarcas, Alethea Gaccion and Julianna Go.
Rounding out the cast are Lucy Landicho, Apple Fudolin, Majorie Pulumbarit and Eva Miñoza.
Riviera will host the next stop for the ICTSI Riviera Championship on 4 to 6 October before Pradera Verde hosts the circuit for the second time this year on 25 to 27 October. The LPGT winds up its season in Morong, Bataan for the Anvaya Cove Ladies International on 2 to 4 November.
Meanwhile, the men of the tour will be back in the loop at Riviera with Michael Bibat expected to lead the title chase for a second crack at the championship after outlasting Tony Lascuña and Reymon Jaraula in the stretch at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last July.
The six-stage PGT will also join the LPGA back at Pradera Verde in October.
