Thais rejoin LPGT Northwoods leg

MANILA, Philippines - Three Thailand shotmakers, headed by regular campaigner Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang, have confirmed participation in the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Ladies Challenge, firming up the field vying in the event firing off Oct. 25 at Royal Northwoods Golf Club in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Though Pattaranakrueang remains winless in six tournaments the last couple of years here, she looms as the marked player in the 54-hole championship marking the resumption of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour after a month-long break.

Joining Pattaranakrueang, who placed sixth at the LPGT Eagle Ridge Invitational won by Fil-Japanese amateur Yuka Saso last May, are Jaruporn Palakawongnaayuttawa and Sarauttaya Nga-usawan, who have also competed in the country’s first-ever ladies tour sponsored by ICTSI.

Also signing up for the event is first-time Jessica Lydia of Indonesia.

They will be up against a compact local field, headed by leg winners Sarah Ababa, Jayvie Agojo and Chihiro Ikeda, winner of this year’s LPGT Orchard leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Fil-Am Cristina Corpus, who scored a breakthrough at Luisita last year, beating three Thai players, is also in the fold along with Apple Fudolin, Anya Tanpinco and Lovelyn Guioguio.

Meanwhile, brand-new pro Princess Superal, who has won four LPGT crowns as an amateur and swept her first two pro events at Sherwood and Eastridge last month, remains a doubtful entry as she is currently competing in the LPGA Q-School Stage II in Florida.  

But a host of amateurs are also expected to compete next week, including former champion Hwang Min-jeong of Korea, all seeking to match Bernice Olivarez-Ilas, Yusa Saso and Harmie Constantino’s feats at Beverly Place, Eagle Ridge and Mt. Malarayat legs midway in the season of the tour backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Sharp, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Champion, TaylorMade, Ping, Yamaha and Pacsports.