Cyna, Thai toughen up John Hay cast

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez returns from a one-leg absence as she resumes her drive for another victory on the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, headlining the field in the Camp John Hay Ladies Invitational which gets going tomorrow at John Hay Golf Club in Baguio.

Rodriguez, who romped off with a five-shot win in the kick off leg at Orchard last April, skipped the second leg at Riviera won by Jayvie Agojo to compete abroad last week but is back in the hunt, hoping to re-stamp her class on the compact field.

But the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, who won two legs in last year’s inaugurals of the country’s first ladies pro circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and nipped Agojo for the Order of Merit crown, is expected to encounter stiff resistance with a host of others out to foil her bid.

Agojo, for one, has gained so much confidence following her three-shot win over Chihiro Ikeda last week and is raring to go for another win in the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Thai Amolkan Phalajivin, who used to campaign on the Asian Ladies Pro Tour, also rejoins the local circuit after also skipping the Riviera leg, itching to make up for her joint 11th place effort at Riviera.

Meanwhile, Agojo, Phalajivin and the other pros test the par-69 layout in today’s pro-am tournament where they will be paired with the guest amateurs of the event’s chief backers, including Nike, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp.

Others expected to figure in the battle for the top P100,000 purse are former national mainstays Lovelynn Guioguio and Sarah Ababa, Lina de Guzman, Apple Fudolin, Lucy Landicho, Eva Miñoza, Majorie Pulumbarit, Jan Punzalan, Sylvia Torres and former Phl Ladies Open winner Heidi Chua.

Mt. Malarayat is hosting the next stage Aug. 13-15, Eagle Ridge Sept. 9-11, Splendido Sept. 24-26,  Valley Golf Oct. 14-16 and  Southwoods Nov. 5-7.