Del Rosario seeks 1st ICTSI win in Luisita

Pauline del Rosario primes up for the P1 million ICTSI Luisita Ladies Challenge at the challenging Tarlac layout next week, hoping to put it all together and nail a maiden championship in a young pro career.

Del Rosario came up short by two strokes in her pro debut last month, failing to overcome a second round 78 and losing to Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul at the ICTSI Champion Tour at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

She actually rebounded with a final round 68 but the Thai closed out with a 69 to preserve the victory in the kickoff leg of this year’s 10-leg circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

This time, the former amateur hotshot feels she’s ready to get the job done.

“I’ve improved a lot with my distance and accuracy over the past weeks and I think I can be a contender again,” said Del Rosario, who got a feel of the tight course in yesterday’s first practice round.

But she expects the task to be daunting with a talentladen cast from a compact field all raring to fuel their respective bids for the top P250,000 purse in the 54-hole championship backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.

“I know the field will be tough again but I’m confident of my chances,” added the former Thailand Ladies Amateur champion.

Five other Thais are also entered in the event, including Chattara Chatwararat, Jaruporn Palakawongnaayuttawa, Numa Gulyanamitta and siblings Nemittra and Nimmitta Juntanaket.