Avaricio Wins ICTSI Forest Hills by Six Shots

ANTIPOLO – Chanelle Avaricio returned to top form with a dominant six-shot victory over Mafy Singson at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic after a steady final-round 71 Thursday at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club’s Nicklaus course.

The 27-year-old former Alabama State standout surged ahead with a bogey-free second-round 65, building a three-shot cushion that allowed her to close with poise and confidence.

She took advantage of the par-5s on the back nine while avoiding risky plays, cruising to a trouble-free 54-hole total of 5-under 208.

“It’s nice to win again. It’s been a long time,” said Avaricio, who last won on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour in 2023, rallying from eight strokes down to beat Sarah Ababa by one in Negros Occidental.

Not even a double-bogey on the 14th – after punching out from a tough lie and three-putting – shook her composure, as Singson and the rest of the field failed to mount a challenge.

Holding a four-shot lead on the 18th tee, Avaricio said she focused on execution instead of the margin, finding the fairway, reaching the green and calmly two-putting to seal the win.

“I just wanted to keep myself grounded and finish the round strong,” said Avaricio, who thanked her parents, friends, supporters and sponsors after breaking out of a slump with the emphatic win.

She credited the victory more to discipline and preparation than inspiration.

“I’ve been working hard and hoping my game would finally come together in this tournament. It wasn’t really about motivation – it was more about the effort and preparation I put in,” added Avaricio, who will resume her campaign in Thailand during the LPGT break.

Avaricio dominated the 2022 LPGT season before testing the U.S. circuits, eventually returning to the local tour.

Her 2024 season had been winless until now, highlighted only by a runner-up finish to Daniella Uy in Bacolod.

She missed the cut at the ICTSI-WWL Group Philippine Ladies Masters in February, placed fifth at Pradera Verde and tied for fourth at Eagle Ridge.

A gutsy opening-round 72 set the tone for the week before she shifted into high gear in the second round, carding a flawless 6-under 65 at the par-71 layout to overtake Singson.

In the final round, after Singson birdied the first hole to apply early pressure, Avaricio responded with a birdie on No. 3 and capitalized on Singson’s bogey on the second to stretch her lead to four.

She never looked back.

While Singson and the chasing pack – Tiffany Lee, Sarah Ababa, Kristine Fleetwood and Kayla Nocum – struggled to keep pace, Avaricio remained steady and sealed her first win of the season.

She pocketed the PHP175,000 top purse, while Singson, who closed with a 74 for a 214 total, settled for second and took home PHP82,000.

Singson, who edged Florence Bisera in a playoff to win the Eagle Ridge leg, started strong but lost momentum on the back nine.

Lee shot an even-par 72 to finish solo third at 216, earning PHP66,000.

Mikha Fortuna carded a 71 to finish fourth at 218.

Bisera shot a 72 to tie for fifth with Ababa, who slipped with a 76; both finished at 220.

Martina Miñoza and Chihiro Ikeda matched 70s to share seventh at 221.

Princess Superal ended ninth after a 74 for 222, while Nocum struggled with a 76 to close at 223.

Fleetwood faltered with an 81 and tied for 11th at 225 with Gretchen Villacencio, who shot a 75.