LPGT stars brace for stern Taichung test as Kenda Open fires off
MANILA, Philippines — The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s top guns plunge into an early test of skill, patience and stamina Wednesday (Sept. 23) as the Kenda Tires TLPGA Open gets under way, with the Filipina campaigners facing a strong cast of Taiwan LPGA Tour stars in Taichung.
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.
“Sobrang init, para din lang sa Pilipinas,” 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. Uneven ang lies, 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.
“Medyo mahirap ‘yung greens, but the course layout is a bit open, so mas okay,” 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,” said Bisera.
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,” said Singson.
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.” She added: “We’d have to do well around the greens and know where to miss.” Singson also cautioned against wayward drives, with the thick rough likely to make recovery difficult.
“The long game is important, of course – putting our drives in the fairway and not missing them because the rough is pretty thick,” she said. “So it’s the long game, approach shots and mostly the short game.” Like Bisera, Singson is keeping her focus on execution rather than expectations.
“I hope to do well. Everyone wants to do well this week,” she said. “I just plan to do my best and hopefully finish well.” Princess Superal provides another major threat from the LPGT side, with the 2022 Asia-Pacific Cup champion opening against Thai ace Nook Sukapan and local standout Jo Hua Hung at 8 a.m. on No. 1.
With Bisera, Singson and Superal leading a deep Philippine contingent, the visitors have enough experience and international exposure to challenge the home players on a layout where patience and consistency could prove decisive.
The contingent also includes Korean LPGT mainstays Jiwon Lee, Kim Seoyun and Eunhua Nam, each capable of making a strong run, while amateurs Isabella Tabanas and twins Mona and Lisa Sarines add youth and unpredictability to the Philippine side.
Rounding out the field are Marvi Monsalve, Sarah Ababa, Harmie Constantino, Kayla Nocum, Lois Kaye Go, Chihiro Ikeda, Velinda Castil, Kristine Fleetwood, Rev Alcantara, Monica Mandario and Gretchen Villacencio.
For the Filipinas, the challenge goes beyond simply surviving the heat and navigating Taichung’s tricky greens. A fast start could put them in position to contend against the TLPGA regulars, while a strong showing could further underline the growing depth of the LPGT on foreign soil.
And with Taichung hosting the TLPGA-LPGT partnership for the first time, the Philippine delegation has a fresh stage on which to make its mark. TMT
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