Two close stabs at pro glory and a week-long break she used to hone her craft should more than spur amateur Mafy Singson to finally upstaging the touring ladies when the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Challenge is fired off Nov. 24 at the Couples course in Silang, Cavite.
The 18-year-old rising star barely missed doing the feat at Eagle Ridge-Aoki early this month, losing to Harmie Constantino by just one stroke. She figured in the title race again in brutal conditions at Tagaytay Highlands, showing the way for the pros in the first round before ending up fifth on poor decision-making.
In both events, Singson took the low amateur honors, besting the likes of Laurea Duque, Burberry Zhang and Arnie Taguines, who also bagged the titles at ICTSI-Aoki last March, Sherwood and Eagle Ridge-Norman last July, respectively, prompting her to seek to level up in the resumption of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments under the bubble setup.
She said she could've finished higher at Highlands but made some bad decisions that hastened her setback.
“I could've played better but I didn't really have good decision-making," said Singson. "But even if I didn't play that well, I'm happy to win the low amateur again."
During the respite, Singson has put emphasis on putting, stressing: "I need to practice more and try to make more putts.”
“I think she has a chance,” said Singson’s swing coach Bong Lopez. “The more she plays on the LPGT, the more confidence she will gain and harvest.”
But the home-schooled Singson will have to buck tall odds to realize her dream and become the next amateur to win on the LPGT after Taiwanese Yu Chiang Hou stunned Thai pro Wanchana Poruangrong at Pradera Verde in 2019 as the pros will also be coming into the two-leg Riviera swing in fine form, led by Constantino and Sunshine Baraquiel.
The duo shared top honors in the Tour’s third restart at Aoki and Highlands, respectively, both hacking out victories in exacting conditions. And with Chihiro Ikeda and Daniella Uy likewise ready for another crack at the crown after falling short at Highlands and Chanelle Avaricio eager to nail the elusive win, the title chase at Riviera is expected to be nothing short of gripping and compelling.
Meanwhile, from the Couples, the LPGT field, which includes the likes of Marvi Monsalve, Lovelyn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa, Pamela Mariano, Apple Fudolin and Korean rookie pro Jane Jeong, heads to the adjacent but tougher Langer course for the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Championship on Dec. 1-3.
The circuit caps the season with another Tagaytay foray on Dec. 14-16 – the ICTSI Midlands Ladies Classic, which Ikeda ruled via playoff over Pauline del Rosario in 2019.
