Princess Superal tees it up this week armed with renewed focus and confidence, but the multiple Order of Merit champion will have to fend off a loaded field when the ₱1-million ICTSI Forest Hills Classic kicks off on Tuesday (June 3) at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour has been idle for more than two months while the Junior PGT took center stage, leaving the country’s top pros itching to compete again. Some, like Superal, fine-tuned their games overseas, while others stayed home to sharpen fundamentals.

Fresh from a tied 27th finish in the rain-shortened Twinfields Ladies Step-Up event in Japan, Superal, the inaugural Asia Pacific Ladies Championship winner in Jakarta in 2022 – where she stunned the likes of current world No. 3 Lydia Ko and former major winner So Yeon Ryu – has been steadily regaining her form. Now, she’s eager to showcase her progress, contend early and add to her LPGT win tally.

“I feel good about where I’m at with my game. I’ve prepared well and I can see my game is improving, so I’m focused on sticking to my process,” said Superal.

Acknowledging the difficulties she had faced in recent campaigns due to injuries, the former US Girls’ Junior champion emphasized the importance of self-care.

“I’ve been taking good care of my body, so no injuries now,” she added, her tone hopeful and grounded.

But a slew of rivals are out to stop her title drive, led by Mafy Singson, the last LPGT winner at Eagle Ridge, who co-led after a first-round 65 in a recent China LPGA start, making her a legitimate threat on the tight, rolling Jack Nicklaus-designed layout.

Harmie Constantino, a multi-leg winner and former Order of Merit queen, is looking to rebound after two middling top-20 finishes in the first two legs of this year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI and supported by official apparel Kampfortis Golf.

Other contenders to keep an eye on include Mikha Fortuna, Sarah Ababa, Chihiro Ikeda, Chanelle Avaricio, Tiffany Lee, Velinda Castil, Kayl Nocum, Pamela Mariano, Martina Miñoza and Gretchen Villacencio, who finished runner-up to Korean junior standout Yunju An in last year’s Forest Hills Classic.

Notably absent is season-opening Pradera Verde champion Sam Bruce, now campaigning full-time on the Epson Tour in the US.

Forest Hills’ Nicklaus course demands accuracy off undulating fairways and deft touch on slick greens. Shot-making variety, strategic play and keeping the ball below the hole will be paramount over three days.

Beyond the ₱1-million purse, this stop sets the tone for the season’s second half before both the LPGT and PGT pause again for the Junior PGT Mindanao swing (June 25-27, Del Monte, Bukidnon).

The pro tours return July 22-25 at Valley Golf, also in Antipolo, where momentum from Forest Hills could prove decisive.