On a day when Caliraya Springs turned into a wind-swept crucible, Harmie Constantino stood firm against the elements, weathering the brutal midday heat to move within sight of ending a year-long title drought.
Despite grinding out an even-par 72 on Wednesday, the diminutive but fiercely determined shotmaker stretched a shaky two-stroke cushion into a commanding four-shot lead over Mafy Singson heading into the final 18 holes of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship in Cavinti, Laguna.
While Constantino’s second round lacked the opening-day fireworks of her 66, it proved to be a masterclass in survival. The near-ideal scoring conditions of Tuesday vanished, replaced by a scorching sun and swirling, unpredictable gusts that constantly challenged club selection and punished even the slightest misjudgments.
“It’s a lot harder today – it’s windier and hotter,” said Constantino, exhausted but satisfied after grinding out a 36-36 card. By countering two bogeys with two gritty birdies, her 36-hole aggregate of 138 kept her comfortably in control.
“It hasn’t been like this for me the past year,” Constantino reflected, referring to a frustrating post-2024 slump. “So, I’m just going to set out to enjoy my round tomorrow.”
Where Constantino bent but did not break, her closest pursuers buckled under the relentless pressure of the Caliraya climate.
Singson, who trailed by just two after a flawless opening 68, saw her charge derail on the back nine’s turbulent winds. A costly three-bogey stretch from No. 12 turned a promising under-par round into a two-over 74, leaving her at 142.
Seoyun Kim salvaged an even-par 72 to move into solo third at 143, continuing her pursuit of a breakthrough LPGT crown after several near-misses.
Yvon Bisera wavered in the afternoon heat, slipping to a 74 after a 70 to drop into a tie for fourth at 144 alongside Tiffany Lee, who posted a second straight 72.
Chihiro Ikeda birdied three of her first nine holes but faltered on the back nine with three bogeys against a lone birdie for a 71 and sixth place at 146, while Kayla Nocum and Gretchen Villacencio matched 75s to share seventh at 147.
Reigning Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa continued to search for form, carding a 74 to slip further back at 148, while Martina Miñoza posted a 72 and Pamela Mariano stumbled with a 73 to share 10th at 149, 11 strokes off the pace.
For Constantino, this tournament represents a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle. After a dominant 2024 campaign where she collected four titles, including this event, and captured the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown, her form took a sudden downturn last season.
Instead of panicking, she rebuilt her game from the ground up.
“It’s all about hard work and practice,” said Constantino, whose resurgence was foreshadowed by a tied-for-fourth finish at the Lakewood Championship last March. “I’ve been sharpening my short game for quite some time.”
That refined short game proved to be her strongest weapon against Wednesday’s conditions. Yet despite holding a comfortable lead, Constantino knows no advantage is safe at Caliraya. Rather than overthinking strategy for Thursday’s finale, her approach remains simple: embrace the moment.
