THAI ACE WINS BY 3
TARLAC – Thai PK Kongkraphan continued her dominance by capturing the ICTSI Luisita Ladies International 2024 championship despite a 74, adding another remarkable achievement to her storied career.
However, the victory didn’t come without drama as Hsuan Chen posed a formidable challenge throughout the $100,000 championship co-sanctioned by the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, turning the final nine holes into a virtual match play and a gripping test of nerves.
However, it was Kongkraphan’s unwavering determination that proved decisive in the stretch.
Capitalizing on Chen’s costly bogeys on Nos. 15, 16 and 17, the former seized the opportunity to regain control of the match, securing the hard-fought, threestroke victory with a brave run of pars.
Kongkraphan’s triumph, fashioned out on a five-under 211 total and worth $18,000, exemplifies her ability to rise to the occasion and navigate challenging circumstances with grace and skill
Kongkraphan, who campaigned for seven years on the LPGA Tour, also accumulated several championships on the Thai LPGA, leading to Order of Merit titles the last three years.
Despite facing adversity with a one-birdie, two-bogey over nine holes to fall behind, the reigning Asian Games individual gold medalist displayed her experience and composure by stringing together a series a pars in the last seven holes.
As Chen briefly seized the lead with a frontside 35 and remained neck-and-neck with Kongkraphan in the early stages of the back nine, the pressure mounted for both competitors with the Taiwanese reeling back with consecutive bogeys from No. 10 and the Khon Kaen native also yielding a stroke on the 11th, setting the stage for a frenetic finish.
But Chen’s wavering backside 41 led to a 76 and Kongkraphan’s commanding victory. It also enabled Harmie Constantino, who fired the day’s best 69, and Chih-yun Wu, who matched par 72 for the second straight time, to finish tied for second at 214 in the 54-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Each received $8,233.
Florence Bisera pulled to within three with two birdies in the first five holes but failed to sustain her charge, reeling back with three bogeys in the last 11 holes and ending up with a 73 for solo fifth at 215 worth $4,000.