Lost clubs imperil Jennifer’s bid

Fully rested after a grueling but successful campaign on the LPGA Tour the last three months, Jennifer Rosales suddenly found her bid in the rich Evian Masters beginning today in peril as she lost her trusted clubs in transit following a luggage mix-up.

"Nawala ng airline ang pamalo ni Jenny eh bukas (today) na ang start ng tournament," Rosales’ swing coach Bong Lopez told The STAR in a text message. Rosales’ caddy Donna Earley brought the clubs from the US.

The $2.5 million event, set to fire off today at the Evian Masters Golf Club in Evian-les-Baines, France, is the second richest on the women’s pro tour which Rosales looked forward with great interest and enthusiasm after she skipped last week’s Giant Eagle Classic to prepare for the tournament.

The 25-year-old Rosales, who scored a breakthrough win in the Chick-Fil-A Championship last May and finished fourth in the US Women’s Open after leading the field after 54 holes, is coming off a photo shoot with sponsor Bally in Italy and is raring to slug it out for the top $375,000 purse against an elite 78-player field.

That includes the best on the tour, led by No. 1 and former champion Annika Sorenstam, 2001 titlist Rachel Teske, Hall of Famers Beth Daniel, Betsy King and Amy Alcott, back-to-back leg winner Meg Mallon, Korean ace Se Ri Pak and defending champion Juli Inkster.

"Wait and see pa rin kami dito dahil wala pa rin siyang mahiram na pamalo," added Lopez.

One thing going for Rosales, however, is that 19 other players have also lost theirs. — Dante Navarro