Uy seeks LPGT breakthru at John Hay

DANIELLA Uy hopes to finally put up a strong finish and end a series of last-round meltdowns in pursuit of a maiden Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown as the ICTSI Camp John Hay Ladies Championship unwraps today (Wednesday, July 24) in Baguio.

Uy has had a number of cracks at a LPGT diadem the last few tournaments but couldn’t seem to pull it off in the end, winding up second to Pauline del Rosario at Royal Northwoods last April and finishing third behind Chihiro Ikeda and del Rosario at Midlands last May.

The former Junior World titlist also emerged as the bestplaced local in last week’s ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic topped by Taiwanese amateur Yu-Chiang Hou via playoff over Thai Wanchana Poruangrong, ending up joint third with Japanese Mayuna Furukawa.

She actually gained a share of the lead with nine holes left in the storm-hit event but reeled back with a bogey-riddled start at the back although she recovered with two birdies in the last three to salvage a share of third.

But those failed bids should toughen up the former Gonzaga U and Cal State stalwart, who is as eager as the rest of the compact field to get going at the up-and-down par-69 John Hay layout which puts emphasis on precision and putting.

Uy, however, will have her hands full in the next three days with Princess Superal also out to recall the form that netted her a record triumph where she posted a record 17-under 190 as an amateur to beat Ikeda by eight in the LPGT inaugurals in 2013.

Five Thai campaigners, meanwhile, opted to extend their stay after their Pradera stint with Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang, who outlasted former three-time LPGT Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez on the third playoff hole to win at Luisita last year, spearheading their charge in the P1 million event put up by ICTSI.

Tiranan Yoopan and Numa Gulyanamitta, both due for a big win, are also in the fold along with Alisana Wedchakama and Ajira Nualraksa with Japanese Ryuji Tanaka and Brunei’s Valerie Tan boosting the cast that also includes locals Alex Etter, Gretchen Villacencio, Marvi Monsalve, Pamela Mariano, Shery Villasencio and former leg winner Sarah Ababa.

Six amateurs are also vying in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., all looking to duplicate Superal’s feat in 2013, including Chanelle Avaricio, Mafy Singson, Samantha Dizon, Arnie Taguines, club bet Kim Min Ji of Korea and Eagle Ace Superal, who won the 13-14 crown in the Future Champions Golf in California three weeks.