Top pros, amateurs embrace challenge at ICTSI Riviera

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Rianne Malixi gets another chance to prove her worth against some of the country’s top lady pros and fellow amateurs, incuding Harmie Constantino and title-hungry Marvi Monsalve at the start of the ICTSI Riviera Championship here today.

Malixi skipped yesterday’s pro-am to prepare herself for an exhausting test of endurance at the rolling Langer layout where she reigned as champion of the Philippine National Stroke Play in 2020 in record fashion.

But it’s her current form, honed by a series of competitions abroad, that should spur the rising star for a follow-up to her astounding 13-stroke triumph over Chihiro Ikeda in the last Ladies Philippine Golf Tour stop at Valley Golf Club last month.

Constantino and Monsalve, however, are out to provide the challenge for the two-time AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) champion in their 12:10 p.m. flight with Ikeda, who also opted to take a break yesterday, bracing for a demanding duel with Sunshine Baraquiel and Mafy Singson at 11:50 a.m., both on No. 1.

“This is going to be a different battle. Langer is a long course and there are so many tests to consider and overcome,” said Ikeda.

Meanwhile, Manila-based Dutchman Guido Van der Valk faces an early challenge in the P2 million men’s event as he drew Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que and Joenard Rates for the featured flight at 9:40 a.m.

Pagunsan, who ruled this event in stormy conditions in 2019, and Que are both coming off the Japan Golf Tour, making them A-ready for the grueling battle.

Pagunsan and Que actually marked their PGT return with a joint fourth-place finish at Eagle Ridge-Aoki last July.

The field includes former Philippine Open Clyde Mondilla, multi-titled Tony Lascuña and Caliraya Springs leg champion Zanieboy Gialon.