The prime of Ms Jenny

After four fruitless years on the tough LPGA Tour, at first struggling to keep her tour card, Jennifer Rosales says it is just a matter of time before she could see her hardwork, dedication and effort come into fruition.

In fact, the five-time RP Ladies Open champion is looking not only at a breakthrough win this year but a series of victories owing to her fine form, a new-found strength and sheer determination.

"I think I’m ready for the ‘Big W,’" said Rosales, now in real fine shape, thanks in part to Pilates, that total body sculpting system for losing weight, molding long, lean muscles and reshaping one’s body.

Credit should also go to swing guru Bong Lopez, who has painstakingly transformed Rosales into one mean hitter while refining her short game and polishing her putting stroke all at the same time.

"She’s primed up for her very first win and I expect her to score her breakthrough victory early in the season," said Lopez.

Rosales, 24, actually gave a select group of mediamen a glimpse of what to expect from her when the LPGA season kicks off next month in Tucson, Arizona when she played 18 holes with them at the Manila Golf Club inside the posh Forbes Park.

Every shot was greeted with shock and awe for it underscored the readiness in the woman, who barely missed winning her first crown when she lost to Rachel Teske in a three-hole sudden-death playoff for the Giant Eagle Classic last year.

"I did have a number of good chances (for the crown) last year. But I somehow got burned out towards the end of each campaign," said Rosales. "But this year, I hope to play with more energy and finish strong all the way."

Barring any injury, Rosales expects to compete in at least 25 tournaments on the lucrative circuit although she will launch her campaign outside of it — in the $800,000 ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia next week where she will slug it out with the likes of Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak and Annika Sorenstam.

"I think I could win six this year," she said.

Rosales made the bold prediction during the media launch, tapping her as the official endorser of PLDT Global, a wholly- owned subsidiary of PLDT providing telecommunications services in key cities worldwide.

That further affirmed Rosales’ true value as a global endorser of the Philippines where she will carry the PLDT Global logo in all her international campaigns this year.

"It’s an honor for me to be carrying the logo of PLDT Global in my quest for a first tournament victory in the LPGA," said Rosales.

The former US NCAA individual champion is coming off her best season as a pro in the LPGA where she finished 32nd in the money list in 2003. Rosales carded her career-low game of 64 during the second round of the 2003 Giant Eagle LPGA Classic and has recorded five additional top-10 finish es, including a seventh-place finish at the Michelob Light Open at Kingmill and a tie for eighth at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

Al Panlilio, president of PLDT Global, said that Rosales being the only homegrown athlete playing in the LPGA Tour, which has a tremendous following worldwide, gives the company the opportunity to reach out to their target market.

"Jenny’s ability to challenge the best players in the world of golf represents our vision to be considered one of the major players in the field of telecommunications," said Panlilio.

"Jenny represents everything that PLDT Global is," adds Panlilio. "She is world-class, the best in her craft, and brings pride to the Filipino."

As part of PLDT Global’s marketing activities for Jenny, Panlilio said they will be issuing prepaid calling cards bearing her image for their international market. She is the first golfer to be accorded such honor.

Rosales will also be gracing other PLDT Global affairs here and abroad.

Jenny’s other endorsements include the Switzerland-based Bally for shoes and apparel, Titleist (balls) and the American Eye Center. She uses Ping (driver and irons) clubs.

Rosales leaves for Goldcoast, Australia this Saturday to play the $800,000 ANZ Ladies Masters at the Royal Pines resort. From their, she heads straight to the US in time for the first leg of the LPGA tour, the Welch’s/Fry’s Championship in Tucson, Arizona.

PLDT Global has offices in HongKong, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States as well as partners in Canada and Japan making available to Filipinos telecommunication services such as Long Distance subscription and International Prepaid Calling Cards. Negotiations with potential partners in Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and Italy are ongoing thus expanding the global reach of the company.