Del Rosario roars back with 65, trails by 1 in Las Vegas

Pauline del Rosario.

Pilipinas Golf

MANILA, Philippines — Pauline del Rosario delivered one of the finest opening rounds of her professional career, carding a dazzling seven-under-par 65 to trail Carla Escuder by one after the first round of the Reliance Matrix Championship at the Spanish Trail Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday (Friday Manila time).

Coming off a string of disappointing finishes on the Epson Tour, the ICTSI-backed Filipina suddenly rediscovered her touch in spectacular fashion, producing a near-flawless performance that not only erased memories of recent struggles but also hinted at a legitimate breakthrough bid this week.

Del Rosario, who missed three consecutive cuts after a strong joint ninth-place finish at the season-opening Atlantic Beach Classic and could only manage a tie for 52nd at the Arizona Women’s Classic last month, looked completely transformed in the Nevada desert.

Playing in ideal scoring conditions, she attacked the course with confidence and precision, torching the front nine with a five-under 31 highlighted by four birdies in a five-hole stretch. She carried that momentum into the back nine, birdying three of the first four holes to surge to eight-under and briefly threaten for the outright lead.

The 27-year-old appeared headed for an even lower score before a bogey on the par-3 14th slowed her momentum. Missed birdie opportunities over the closing stretch left her with a 31-34 card, but the 65 was still enough to earn a share of second place alongside Thailand’s Cholcheva Wongras and American Mariel Galdiano.

More importantly, it re-established Del Rosario as a serious contender with three rounds left in the $250,000 championship.

“It’s a pretty straightforward course. Just having your drives in play and having your irons giving you the best chances on the green. I feel like that’s been working for me,” said Del Rosario. “My iron game was pretty good and my putting complemented it really well.”

Spain’s Escobar grabbed the solo lead with a sparkling 64 highlighted by two eagles on the back nine where she teed off, although a closing double bogey on No. 9 prevented her from pulling further away.

US-based Filipina Clariss Guce also impressed with a bogey-free 66, built around an eagle on the par-5 No. 11 and four birdies, including back-to-back at the finish, as she joined a six-player tie for fifth.

Meanwhile, Olympian Dottie Ardina opened with a 69 for a share of 23rd, while Bianca Pagdanganan shot a 70 for joint 35th.

But the spotlight firmly belonged to Del Rosario, whose explosive start could well be the spark she needs to finally break through on the LPGA’s developmental tour. With her confidence restored and her game clicking on all fronts, the Filipina ace now heads into the remaining rounds in prime position to chase the biggest victory of her career.