Hwang Min Jeong, the former Korean amateur who bested the cream of the country’s pro crop at Mt. Malarayat in 2015, seeks to mark her pro debut in winning fashion as she joins the hunt in the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic starting Tuesday (Jan. 29) at the Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Hwang trounced the likes of Princess Superal and Cyna Rodriguez in a final round skirmish in Lipa City, Batangas four years ago with the lanky shotmaker, who also ruled the Philippine Amateur Championship last year, expected to come into the P750,000 championship matured and a lot tougher.

She tied for sixth in her last Ladies Philippine Golf Tour event at Riviera last year.

But Hwang will be as much tested as the rest of the huge 49-player field that includes eight amateurs with Superal bannering the locals’ bid in the absence of last week’s runaway winner Dottie Ardina.

The Canlubang ace routed the field with solid games in the last two rounds, turning what was expected to be a tight finish into a runaway victory at ICTSI Beverly Place Classic in a triumph that more than boosted her confidence heading to her LPGA Tour return starting Feb. 14 in Australia.

But the Thais also seek to rebound from their failed bid at Beverly Place with another full-packed roster headed by Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Chonlada Chayanun and Ornnicha Konsunthea, who settled for the next three places behind winner Ardina and Pauline del Rosario at Beverly Place.

Former two-time LPGT Champion Tour titlist Lee Jeong Hwa of Korea is likewise eager to rebound from her missed cut stint last week while compatriot Lee Ji Hyeon tries to atone for her 14th place finish in her pro debut after topping the Baguio kickoff leg of the seventh season of the circuit put up by ICTSI last October.

Others tipped to figure in the title race are Chihiro Ikeda, Cyna Rodriguez, Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve and Alex Etter along with Thais Saraporn Chamchoi, Mookharin Ladgratok, Aunchisa Utama and former LPGT leg winner Wannasiri Sirisampant.