Female golfers show form in Luzvimin Invitational

MANILA, Philippines — The top golfing ladies from the country’s leading clubs slug it out in what promises to be an explosive start to the Champion Luzvimin Invitational golf tournament, all primed up for cracks at the coveted crowns in various divisions at the Cebu Country Club in Cebu City.

Del Monte shoots for back-to-back with an intact roster but Manila Southwoods is out for a payback with a souped-up crew, and the rest of the cast are all coming into the event ready to take on the best and emerge on top after 54 holes of the annual championship held under the Molave scoring format.

The Del Monte ladies dominated their Carmona-based rivals in the final round to reign at Taal Splendido last year, reclaiming the crown they won at Rancho Palos Verdes in 2016 with Class B individual winner Sofia Abarcas spearheading their repeat bid in the premier Diamond division along with Martina Miñoza, Leslie Icoy, Kiara Montebon, Saraiah Rheaume and Maura Quijano.

But Southwoods is going all out to get back at its tormentor, enlisting top amateur Laia Barro to anchor a talent-laden squad composed of Loralie Roberto, Claire Ong, Christine Naidoo, Claudine Garcia and Deanna Samaniego.

But the rest of the 10-team field in the centerpiece category, including five new squads, are also upbeat.