Malixi joins hunt as Ladies PGT unwraps (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin Sports
Date
MARCH 21 2022
Amateur Rianne Malixi returns to the very site of her recent romp but this time faces a lot more challenging task against a field she had humbled and the addition of a multi-titled campaigner.
The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour unveils its new season in new normal with a full calendar beginning with the ICTSI Luisita Championship on Tuesday at the fabled Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed layout in Tarlac where Malixi dominated her peers, topping the grueling SEA Games qualifier by 17 strokes early this month.
The men of the tour likewise start their campaign alongside with the ladies with Miguel Tabuena, Tony Lascuña and Clyde Mondilla, along with Reymon Jaraula, Jay Bayron, Joenard Rates and Michael Bibat all primed up for a heated battle, eager and raring to slug it out for top honors after being out of play the past year.
Tabuena has had great moments at Luisita, winning at least three times, including the Philippine Open in 2015, giving him some kind of a push as he heads the chase for top honors in the P2 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
But with the rest of the compact PGT field all hungry for recognition, expect the unexpected with the par-72 course providing a true test of golf with its tight layout, hazards that come into play in most holes and unpredictable surface.
The LPGT title chase is also tipped to go down-to-the-wire. And ranged against the country’s leading pros, the 14-year-old Malixi knows she’s in for a tough outing but relishes the rare chance to mix it up with the best, including former Order of Merit Princess Superal.
“I’m happy that she’s (Superal) playing, People say she’s a great player and has a sound short game,” said Malixi. “But my priority is to enjoy, learn and play my A-game.”
The 2020 national stroke play champion actually upstaged the pros in her first LPGT sortie last December, routing the field, that included eventual OOM winner Harmie Constantino, by 15 strokes, just one shot short of matching Superal’s winning record margin of 16 at Highlands in 2018.
She hopes to be get the opportunity to play with the winner of three of the first five LPGT events under the bubble setup last year.
“I guess if I’m grouped with her, it would mean that I’m playing well,” said Malixi, who is building up for a series of tournaments in the US. “Winning is just a consolation and learning by playing with the greats is a rare opportunity.”
Constantino, meanwhile, is ready to mark the season opener with a big win, so do the likes of leg winners Sunshine Baraquiel, Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy, ensuring a fiery chase right in the opening round of the 54-hole, P750,000 championship put up by ICTSI.
Meanwhile, Luisita, kept in championship form all year-long, is expected to provide a true test of golf for both tours with its tight layout, hazards that come into play in most holes, and unpredictable surface.
Beefing up the men’s roster are Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Jerson Balasabas, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Mars Pucay, Rufino Bayron, Jun Bernis, Anthony Fernando, Arnold Villacencio, Gerald Rosales, Johvanie Abano, Nico Salahog Orlan Sumcad and Rupert Zaragosa.
Amateurs Masaihi Otake, Mark Lu and siblings Ryan and Ivan Monsalve are also in the fold along with Kristine Fleetwood and Allyson Kidwell in the Ladies PGT.
