MEXICO, Pampanga – The cream of the country’s crop set off for a three-day battle of shotmaking and putting with some of the leading Thai players out to extend their reign in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as the ICTSI Beverly Place Ladies Classic unfolds here today (Wednesday, Jan. 23).

LPGA Tour-bound Dottie Ardina, reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion Princess Superal, and former OOM winners Cyna Rodriguez and Pauline del Rosario launch their respective bids in four separate flights against crack Thai rivals in what promises to be an explosive start in the P750,000 event serving as the third leg of the seventh LPGT season.

Though Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, who also won the last LPGT stop at Pradera Verde, won’t be around to defend her crown she won by three over Chihiro Ikeda last year, the Thais remain a tough bunch to beat with Aunchisa Utama and Ornicha Konsunthea joining Ardina and Korean Bang Choeun in the 8:30 a.m. flight.

Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro and Jaruporn P Na Ayuthaya slug it out with Del Rosario and another Korean Lee Ji Hyeon in the 8:20 a.m. group just after Superal tees off with Chonlada Chayanun, Numa Gulyanamitta and Mookharin Ladgratok at 8:10 a.m.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, hopes to come out strong against Narisara Kerdrit and Saraporn Chamchoi in the 8 a.m. group firmed up by the presence of two-time LPGT Champion Tour winner Lee Jeong Hwa, also of Korea.

Focus will also be on Ji Hyeon, who will be hard-pressed to prove her worth as a pro after shocking the elite field to rule the kickoff leg of the new LPGT season in Baguio as an amateur last October.

Ikeda, on the other hand, is up against former LPGT leg winner Wannasiri Sirisampant and Pattraporn Kratururk with Brunei’s Valerie Tan completing the four-player group in the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The Thais won five of the 12 LPGT tournaments last year with Chamchoi, Sirisampant and company eager to score a follow-up to Kawinpakorn’s two-stroke victory over compatriot Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro at Pradera last December.

Ardina placed a distant third but the Canlubang ace, who placed second in the Symetra Tour last year to earn full playing rights in the world’s most lucrative circuit, is out to stop the Thais’ run and build some confidence and momentum as she heads to the LPGA Tour in Australia next month.

Forty-eight players, including six amateurs, will slug it out for the top 15 plus ties slots in the first 36 holes. Others tipped to contend are Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve and Gretchen Villacencio and Thais Saruttaya Ngam-usawan, Sarinee Thitiratanakorn and Tiranan Yoopan.

Heading the amateur cast in the event, backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc., are The Country Club mainstays Mafy Singson, Arnie Taguines, Samantha Dizon and Eagle Ace Superal along with Laurea Duque and Marianne Bustos.