Stern test awaits LPGT stars

TAICHUNG, Taiwan — The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s (LPGT) top guns plunge into an early test of skill, patience and stamina starting Wednesday as the Kenda Tires TLPGA Open gets under way, with the Filipina campaigners facing a strong cast of Taiwan LPGA Tour stars here.

The 54-hole championship, carrying a total purse of NT$4 million, marks another significant step in the LPGT’s growing presence on the international circuit, this being a co-sanctioned tournament with TLPGA, with 20 LPGT players set to challenge the hosts and other foreign contenders at the Taichung International Golf Club.

And with the tournament moving to Taichung for the first time after previous TLPGA-LPGT co-sanctioned stops in other Taiwan cities, the LPGT delegation sees an opportunity to make an early impact — and perhaps produce another overseas victory.

Leading the Philippine charge is two-leg LPGT winner Yvon Bisera, who opens against Taiwan standouts Ling Jie Chen and Chieh Ning Hung at 8:10 a.m. on No. 10.

Bisera, who captured the Thailand Ladies Masters last year for her first international title, believes the course’s combination of narrow fairways, uneven lies and undulating greens will reward precision more than power.

“It’s extremely hot, just like in the Philippines,” said Bisera, who played the course for the second time during Tuesday’s pro-am. 

“The course has a combination of hilly and flat features. The lies are uneven, but the trickiest part is really the greens — some are uphill, some are downhill.”

The East and Center nines of the 27-hole layout will be used for the championship, with the sloping terrain and several narrow fairways putting a premium on accurate driving and well-placed approaches.

Bisera found the greens particularly demanding but saw some encouragement in the relatively open layout.

“The greens are a bit tough, but the course layout is fairly open, so it’s much better,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of finding the fairway, especially on the dogleg holes where a good drive can dramatically shorten the approach.

“When you hit your tee shot perfectly, medyo malapit na ang second shot, especially on the dogleg holes,” Bisera said.

She knows, however, that good ball-striking alone will not be enough. With temperatures expected to remain high throughout the week, endurance and proper hydration could become just as important as putting together three solid rounds.

“I would do my best and give my all for this tournament,” said Bisera, who will be hoping to add another international title to her growing résumé.

Fellow ICTSI-backed ace Mafy Singson likewise expects a demanding battle, drawing Chun Wei Wu and I-Wen Chen at 8:30 a.m. on the frontside.

Singson described the layout as relatively flat but said the small, heavily undulating greens could provide the biggest challenge.

“The course is relatively flat, but the greens are a little hilly, very undulating and small,” Singson said.

That makes approach shots and recovery play especially important, with players forced to think carefully about where to attack and where to miss.

“I wouldn’t say it’s that difficult, but I wouldn’t say it’s that easy either,” Singson said. “The greens are pretty tricky, and I think the approach shots will also be important.”