Constantino edges del Rosario for women's crown
CAVINTI, Laguna – Harmie Constantino, demonstrating her exceptional ability to thrive under pressure, once again showed her knack for dramatic comebacks, repulsing Pauline del Rosario for the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship crown here Thursday, April 11.
The victory, marked by a decisive birdie-birdie finish at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club, came just three weeks after her remarkable recovery from a five-shot deficit at Palos Verdes in Davao. This time, Constantino overturned a three-stroke deficit to win by two strokes with a final round 69 for a 214 worth ₱114,000.
Mulling over her consecutive come-from-behind victories, she said: “It just happened. There’s no particular approach to it. Ideally, I’d like to lead in every round, but the key is just to stay in the moment and play my best.”
Del Rosario, who defeated Seoyun Kim by one here last year, turned in her worst card in three days – a 74, that dropped her to second at 216, that included a 73 and 69. She received ₱80,000.
Superal also floundered when it mattered most, slipping with a 75 after back-to-back 71s to finish tied for third at 217 with 2022 champion Chanelle Avaricio, who charged back with a 71. They halved the combined ₱122,000 prizes.
Constantino’s latest triumph was even more noteworthy as it came against the best-assembled Ladies Philippine Golf Tour field in years that included past Order of Merit champions.
Starting the final 18 holes three strokes behind del Rosario and Superal, Constantino displayed patience and strategic play, methodically closing the gap on the fancied leaders.