STA. ROSA, Laguna – Thrust into the solo spotlight, Pauline del Rosario embraced the challenge with steely resolve but faltered at the finish, dropping two shots over the last three holes to settle for a 71.
The costly slip saw her slide to a share of sixth place, three strokes behind new leader Kim Ahyeon after 36 holes of the ICTSI Worldwide Link Philippine Ladies Masters 2025 on Thursday.
As the Philippine contingent struggled on moving day, del Rosario seized the opportunity with a fearless performance, proving her mettle in a field teeming with international talent.
Her aggressive play over the first 12 holes, where she went three-under, showcased the tenacity and experience needed for a breakthrough win in this $200,000 event, the Korean Dream Tour’s inaugural foray into the Philippines.
However, The Country Club’s notoriously demanding closing stretch proved unforgiving. A wayward drive on the par-4 16th led to a bogey, and a costly three-putt on the final hole further dampened her charge.
“I felt pretty bad bogeying the last hole,” del Rosario said, frustrated by her struggles on the unpredictable greens. “I guess it was my putting and feel for the speed of the greens.”
Despite the late stumble, del Rosario remains in contention at 140. Her earlier surge, highlighted by birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, demonstrated the caliber of play needed to compete against an elite international field.
While del Rosario briefly threatened for a share of the lead, Kim surged ahead with a blistering front-nine 31. The Korean standout capitalized on her hot start, firing birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9. She held firm on the challenging back nine, protecting her lead with a composed string of pars to finish at seven-under overall (137).
Thai Parinda Phokan birdied the par-4 17th to cap a 70, securing solo second at 138. Meanwhile, Kim Yeosoon (68), Wang Li-Ning (69), and Han Nakyoung (70) all posted matching 139s, setting the stage for an intense final round in the $200,000 tournament, co-sanctioned by the Korean LPGA, the LPGA of Taiwan, and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.
“I just tried to put my ball in the fairway and make more birdies,” said Kim, who came into the tournament following a 36th-place finish in last month’s Indonesian Open.
Kim acknowledged the difficulty of the back nine, where swirling winds and firm greens tested her precision.
“I struggled with my long game a bit, but the key was my short game,” said the 31-year-old Kim. “The back nine was hard for me, so I’ll try to rest well and focus on pin placements and putting tomorrow.”
Despite Kim’s advantage, the final 18 holes remain unpredictable, with TCC’s treacherous layout capable of shifting momentum in an instant.
Del Rosario, a former TLPGA champion, will need to summon her best game to mount a comeback, while the tightly packed leaderboard suggests a thrilling finale.
The ICTSI-backed del Rosario turned what seemed like an uphill battle into a legitimate title chase. Despite a steady frontside 35 that left her three strokes behind, she capitalized on her chances after the turn, carding crucial birdies on Nos. 10 and 12.
And if there’s one certainty heading into the final round, it’s that no lead is safe at TCC.
With an unforgiving layout that punishes the slightest miscalculation, the closing round is bound to be a rollercoaster. Known for its swirling winds and tight fairways, the course has proven to be an unpredictable battlefield where momentum can shift in an instant. The final 18 holes will test not just skill but mental fortitude, as even the smallest errors could derail a title bid.
For del Rosario, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the last Filipina in realistic contention, she carries the hopes of the home crowd. A victory here would solidify her status as a rising force on the international stage. Having already demonstrated her ability to rise to the occasion before her late meltdown, she will need an even sharper all-around performance to outlast the stacked leaderboard.
Joining del Rosario at sixth are Pattharat Rattanawan and erstwhile leader Seong Eunjeong, who turned in 72 and 73, respectively. Meanwhile, Kim Kayoung (68), Kim Reean (69), Pakin Kawinpakorn (71), and Nook Sukapan (73) are poised to mount their own rallies.
Florence Bisera also struggled with a 73, dropping to tied 20th at 144. LPGA/Epson Tour campaigner Dottie Ardina failed to stage a rally, finishing with a 72 for 148 and a share of 45th with Samantha Bruce, who fired a 71.
As the tournament heads for an explosive finish, every shot will be magnified, and every missed opportunity could prove costly.
With the championship trophy and $30,000 on the line, expect nothing less than a dramatic, high-stakes battle where fortunes could change on a single swing. TCC has already proven that no lead is safe, and as the final putt drops, the Philippine Ladies Masters 2025 is destined for a thrilling conclusion.
The rest of the Philippine contingent missed the cut, set at 149.
Mikha Fortuna briefly ignited hopes of a comeback with back-to-back birdies on No. 2 but struggled to maintain momentum, finishing with a 78 for 150 – just one stroke shy of making the final 18 holes. Daniella Uy posted the same score, also after a 78.
Chanelle Avaricio battled through a 77 for a 152, while Gretchen Villacencio carded a 73 for a 153. Princess Superal and Kayla Nocum posted identical 154s after 73 and 80, respectively.
