MANILA, Philippines — Pauline del Rosario slowed down with a 71 after a pair of brilliant outputs in the 60s but managed to end a drought in great fashion, ruling the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Ladies Classic by 14 strokes in San Rafael, Bulacan last Friday.
Though she fell short by two in matching Princess Superal’s record romp at Tagaytay Highlands last year, Del Rosario succeeded in regaining her winning ways after going through a drought following a swing change in her buildup for the LPGA Tour Q-School this August.
She virtually secured her first victory since posting four wins in a dominant rookie season in 2017 with 66-67 after 36 holes at the Royal Northwoods Golf Club, Inc. and found no need to pour it all out in the final round, just going through the motions to finish with three birdies against two bogeys.
She ended up with a 12-under 204 and pocketed the top purse of P350,000 out of the total prize pot of P1.5 million in the 54-hole championship, which served as the eighth leg of a record 13-stage circuit put up by ICTSI.
“I just made sure there would be no repeat of a Thai victory this time,” said Del Rosario, referring to Thanuttra Boonraksasat’s come-from-behind win over Superal in the sixth leg at Manila Southwoods last month where she wound up joint 10th.
Del Rosario also groped for form and settled for a share of seventh at the Manila Golf Ladies Masters two weeks ago but finally found her range, rhythm and touch with brilliant six-under and five-under cards in the first two rounds at Northwoods.
She needs to toughen up for the Tagaytay Midlands Challenge next month.