Philstar.com
September 1, 2025 | 1:03pm
BACOLOD, Philippines – There couldn’t have been a extra becoming stage or extra compelling second for Daniella Uy to rekindle her fierce rivalry with the nation’s prime execs — and a few rising Korean stars — than on the very event the place she final etched her title in daring.
The ICTSI Bacolod Golf Problem fires off Tuesday, September 2, on the tight, hazard-laden Bacolod Golf and Nation Membership in Binitin, Murcia right here, and Uy returns not simply as defending champion, however as a marked participant — keen, hungry and laser-focused on reclaiming her place atop the leaderboard after a prolonged stint overseas.
Taking a break from her LPGA of Taiwan marketing campaign, Uy is again on residence soil, bringing together with her a recreation sharpened by high-level competitors and months of battling a few of Asia’s top-tier abilities. Although she has but to bag a title abroad, the expertise has made her mentally harder and extra tactically sound.
And there’s no higher place for a press release win than Bacolod, a venue that holds particular significance for the previous Junior World champion. It was right here final yr the place she fended off a fierce cost by Chanelle Avaricio in a gripping ultimate stretch to clinch a two-stroke victory — her fifth profession title and a springboard to her worldwide pursuits.
However Uy is aware of full properly that her return will likely be no stroll within the park.
The par-70 structure in Binitin is brief however difficult, demanding precision over energy and rewarding sound course administration greater than aggression. And the sector she’s up in opposition to is deep, harmful and simply as pushed.
With reigning LPGT Order of Benefit winner Harmie Constantino, Epson Tour campaigner Pauline del Rosario, rising star Mafy Singson, and the always-consistent Sarah Ababa all within the combine, the race for the crown guarantees to be a thriller from begin to end.
Ababa, who misplaced in a playoff to Princess Superal at Caliraya Springs final month, believes the important thing will likely be sticking to the fundamentals and enjoying sensible golf.
“Easy lang ang recreation plan – keep on with fundamentals, keep constant at huwag magmadali,” stated Ababa, who’s posted a string of High 5 finishes this season. “Course administration will likely be vital.
Apparently, it’s the absence of Superal – who opted out of the occasion to proceed shoulder remedy – that has blown the title race large open. Whereas her absence removes one of many greatest threats, it additionally injects much more unpredictability and depth into the already talent-stacked area.
“Iba rin ang pakiramdam kapag wala si Princess kasi sanay na kami na lagi kaming sabay na lumalaban,” added Ababa. “However her absence means everybody now feels they’ve an actual shot. It’s not simpler – it’s much more aggressive as a result of extra gamers are gunning for the win.”
Becoming a member of the hunt are a pair of promising Korean challengers in Tiffany Lee and Seoyun Kim, in addition to Kayla Nocum, Florence Bisera, Chihiro Ikeda, Pamela Mariano, Martina Miñoza and former nationwide staff standout Lois Kaye Go – all able to pulling off a shock on a course that has little margin for error.
However for Uy, this week is about extra than simply defending a title. It’s about proving to herself — and to the remainder of the sector — that she’s a stronger, extra refined model of the participant who lifted the trophy right here final yr.
With pleasure on the road and momentum to regain, anticipate the defending champion to come back out swinging with renewed goal.
