CHANELLE Avaricio gears up for another crack at a Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown after scoring back-to-back wins at Hallow Ridge and Caliraya, setting out as the top draw in the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Challenge which reels off May 11 in Lipa City.
The former Alabama U standout, who scored a breakthrough win at Riviera-Couples last year then topped the two Laguna stops of the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit last month, used the long break to further firm up in anticipation of a fierce challenge from the likes of former leg winners Chihiro Ikeda and Sunshine Baraquiel, among others.
“I need to practice on the things that I need to improve on, especially my driving,” Avaricio said after fending off Ikeda to hack out a one-stroke victory in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship.
“I have to work on my short and irons,” added Avaricio, who upended multi-titled Princess Superal in sudden death at Hallow Ridge.
The rest of the compact field have also toughened up for the 54-hole tournament serving as the fourth leg of this year’s full-calendared LPGT after a limited number of events due to pandemic the past two years, guaranteeing another tight finish that has marked the first three title hunts this season.
Amateur sensation Rianne Malixi edged Superal by one to rule the kickoff leg at Luisita last March.
