Thailand golfers to join PH Open

THAILAND, featuring SEA Games silver medalist Pinrath Loomboonruang, will be competing against the cream of the country’s crop and a slew of other foreign entries in the 50th Philippine Ladies Open slated Jan. 11 to 13 at Wack Wack’s East Course.

Loomboonruang, also the gold medal winner in this year’s Santi Cup, the ladies side of the Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championship, will try to become only the third Thai player to win the country’s premier ladies championship after Rika Dila in 1984 and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn in 2007.

She will be joined in the title hunt in the event sponsored by Champion Infinity by top jungolfers Savitree Thavong and Pathamaporn Ariyamatepreecha along with Suthavee Chanachai, Jittakarn Chandraviroj, Pornvipa Sakdee, Supamas Sangchan, Arporn Maneerux, Busara Tanphhipat, Molrudee Mahattanakul, Sasitorn Chokwatana and Sida Raksangob.

The golden staging of the even, backed by Duty Free Phils., Philippine Sports Commission and Inquirer as gold sponsors, has also lured entries from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the US with more expected to register within the week.

Clubs all over the country will also be fielding their best bets in the Open, which will also feature the Class A and Class B events after the classification on the second day.  Playing are entries from Canlubang, Sta. Elena, Eagle Ridge, Southwoods, Valley Golf, Orchard, AFP Golf Club (formerly Aguinaldo GC), Riviera, Tagaytay Highlands, Alta Vista, ForestHills, Pueblo de Oro, Cangolf, Del Monte, Navy and Southwoods.

Chihiro Ikeda sets out as one of the favorites in the 54-hole championship. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio