The local aces will be hard-pressed to sustain the charge set up by Dottie Ardina’s convincing win at Beverly Place last week as they slug it out with the Thai and Korean bets in today’s (Tuesday, Jan. 29) start of the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic in Laurel, Batangas.

Princess Superal hopes to carry the cudgels for the hosts as Ardina and last week’s runner-up Pauline del Rosario try their luck in the Women’s World Championship Qualifying in Singapore with Cyna Rodriguez and Chihiro Ikeda tipped to back the reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion in the 54-hole championship serving as the fourth leg of the 2018-19 LPGT season.

But the Thais are all primed up to re-assert their might with former leg winner Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang back in the hunt for a second LPGT crown after nipping Rodriguez in a three-hole playoff at Luisita last year and the likes Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Chonlada Chayanun and Ornnicha Konsunthea raring to rebound from their setback at Beverly Place.

Focus will also be on Hwang Min-jeong, who beat Superal, Rodriguez and Ikeda at Mt. Malarayat in 2015 as an amateur with the young Korean, who also romped off with the Philippine Amateur Stroke Play crown last year, seeking no less than a victory in her first LPGT crack as a pro.

But more than the elite field’s individual skills, their mental toughness will be put to severe test right from tee-off with the wind expected to come into play in most holes of the rolling, hazard laden layout as it did during practice.

Meanwhile, 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 Daniella Uy, Marvi Monsalve and Alex Etter along with Thais Saraporn Chamchoi, Mookharin Ladgratok, Aunchisa Utama, Numa Gulyanamitta, Tanaporn Hiranrak, Cristawan Rungruang and former LPGT leg winner Wannasiri Sirisampant 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.