Uy Leads ICTSI Pradera Verde; Lee Stays Close

Daniella Uy’s offseason adjustments paid off immediately as she grabbed a three-shot lead with a four-under 68 in the opening round of the ICTSI Ladies Pradera Verde Championship on Monday.

With rising star Tiffany Lee lurking and the unpredictable Pinatubo course presenting a tough challenge, the title race remains wide open.

Uy displayed precision and resilience in a round that saw swirling winds and ever-changing conditions. She emerged from a tight leaderboard—where at least eight players briefly shared the lead—by stringing together three consecutive birdies from No. 12.

The former Junior World champion had a chance to widen her lead but closed with a bogey, finishing with a 36-32 card on the par 37-35 layout, which is hosting its first professional tournament.

“I shortened my swing for better accuracy and timing,” said Uy, who won the Bacolod leg of last year’s 10-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “I also worked a lot on my putting inside three feet, which had been a weakness in the past.”

Lee, who has struggled with consistency since winning her first professional event at Splendido Taal, showcased her potential with a solid three-under 34 on the front nine. However, a delay in her tee-off at No. 10 disrupted her rhythm, leading to a costly double bogey.

Despite settling for a one-under 71, she remains confident about staying in contention in the 54-hole, PHP 1 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI.

“I found the course short, which made my second shots easier, especially on the par-5s,” said Lee, who is aiming to rediscover the form that won her the Lakewood Championship in a playoff as an amateur. “But the greens are tricky—large and undulating, making putting very difficult.”

While some players found the wind extending the course beyond its yardage, the long-hitting Lee saw an advantage.

“For me, it wasn’t too long,” she said. “But I need to keep my drives on the fairway and read the wind better because it’s affecting the ball a lot.”

The Pinatubo course, with its open layout and lack of trees for wind protection, proved to be a great equalizer. Wind direction varied across holes, and the severely undulating greens added another layer of difficulty.

Mikha Fortuna and Samantha Bruce posted identical 72s to stay within striking distance, while Sarah Ababa, a two-leg winner last year, stumbled late to finish with a 73 alongside Seoyun Kim and Martina Miñoza.

Mafy Singson let a strong start slip away with late bogeys and a double bogey, finishing at 74. Princess Superal, despite two birdies, struggled with a double bogey and three bogeys to card a 75, tying Kayla Nocum and Annika Cedo for ninth.

Uy’s three-stroke lead is significant, but Lee’s confidence heading into the second round suggests a potential shake-up.

“I felt I had the course figured out, but the long wait on No. 10 disrupted my rhythm,” said Lee. “Tomorrow, I just need to stay patient, keep my shots in play, and take advantage of the scoring opportunities.”

Uy, meanwhile, remains committed to her strategy.

“I’ll stick to my game plan—play safe, have fun, and trust the process,” she said.