LPGT stars launch bid vs. stacked TLPGA field

TAIWAN – With a deeper, more battle-tested Ladies Philippine Golf Tour roster, belief has evolved into genuine expectation as the Filipinas set out against a souped-up cast of regional rivals in the Party Golfers Ladies Open, which unfolds Wednesday (Nov. 19) here.

Forged by a grueling local circuit and sharpened by a string of international stints this season, the Filipinas arrive not just armed with experience but buoyed by momentum, maturity and a collective hunger to finally break through on Taiwanese soil.

Against a strengthened TLPGA field brimming with homegrown standouts and rising regional threats, the LPGT mainstays are embracing the moment with a blend of confidence and steel.

At the Lily Golf and Country Club in Hsinchu, the squad tees off with a conviction shaped by months of hard lessons and narrow misses – each swing now driven by a belief that the elusive Taiwanese crown is no longer wishful thinking, but a legitimate target within reach.

Florence Bisera, leaning on improved touch around the greens, aims to build on her tied-27th finish last year. Fresh off her maiden international triumph in Thailand last September, she carries both form and fire into the week.

“Going to the TLPGA, I just want to stay focused and play my game, kasi alam ko na lahat kami ay nag-prepare nang mabuti para sa tournament,” said Bisera, whose sharpened short game could prove decisive.

“I’ve been working a lot on my short game. I’ll continue to trust the process and see which parts of my game need more attention,” she added.

Multi-titled ace Princess Superal, the inaugural Asia Pacific UP champion in 2022, looks to reassert her overseas presence. Though her season has been uneven – mixing victories with tough stretches – she remains intent on regaining her hallmark consistency.

“My mindset is to stay patient and committed to every shot, trusting the process and the work I’ve put in. I just want to stay present and focused,” said Superal. “Consistency will be key – especially at the Lily Golf Course. My ball-striking has improved a lot, so hitting more greens and minimizing mistakes around the course will be essential.”

Chanelle Avaricio, reinvigorated by two LPGT titles this season, is taking a measured but optimistic approach. Her explosive three-week Mindanao swing – where she logged a win, a runner-up finish and a third-place effort – has fortified her for the challenges ahead.

“I want to take it day by day and focus on the things I can control,” said Avaricio. “The three-week stretch helped a lot. But it’s a different field (TLPGA) and a completely different course, so anything can happen. But I prepared for it, and all I can do is do my best.”

To contend for the crown, Avaricio stresses the need for a complete, three-day performance.

“For me to win, every part of my game should be strong – especially the drives and putting,” she said.

But perhaps no one feels more compelled to deliver than Daniella Uy.

Uy’s joint fourth-place finish in 2019 remains the highest placement by an LPGT representative in this event, and she fell just three shots shy of local star Yu Ling Hsieh in that run. Still chasing her first LPGT win of the season, Uy hopes her course familiarity – paired with years of battling many of the same TLPGA rivals – finally propels her to the top.

“My mindset is to do better than last year’s performance and stay focused,” said Uy. “I’ve been playing consistently and practicing a lot, so I feel more prepared and confident this time.”

Like Avaricio, she knows the formula is simple – but far from easy.

“It’s about putting everything together. Staying steady, making smart decisions and trusting my process,” said Uy.

With depth, desire and determination converging at their peak, the Filipinas head into Taiwan driven by a shared mission – to turn years of near-misses into the breakthrough victory they’ve long envisioned.

And this week, they swing not just for a trophy, but for history.