Ikeda eyes Asiad gold, LPGA berth

MANILA, Philippines - With a vastly improved game and a large dose of confidence, Chihiro Ikeda believes she is now ready for the big one – the LPGA – although she still dreams of delivering another gold medal for the country in next year’s Asian Games.

“It’s an indescribable feeling, winning a gold medal for your country. It gives you a different kind of high,” said Ikeda, relishing her gold medal romp in the just-concluded SEA Games in Laos where she also powered the RP squad to the team championship.

The SEAG feat capped the 18-year-old Ikeda’s banner season that also saw her annex seven other individual titles here and abroad, including the Hong Kong Amateur Open and the Indonesian Amateur Open, where she also steered the Philippines to the team crown.

“I believe she’s ready for the LPGA,” said national team coach Bong Lopez, also the man at the helm of the ICTSI golf program where Ikeda and teammates Dottie Ardina, Mia Piccio, Sarah Ababa and reigning RP Ladies Open champion Louise Manalo get the best of training with international exposure to boot.

“But what excites her is the chance to lead the country in next year’s Asian Games and perhaps get a crack at the gold,” said Lopez. “I know she can be at par with the best players in the region, especially against the Koreans.”

With a keen eye for talent, Lopez spotted the chubby Ikeda during the WGAP (Women’s Golf Association of the Phils.) tournament in hometown Davao in 2006 and was impressed of her swing and power. He invited her to join the ICTSI team, promising her a no-nonsense training and a chance to be a great player someday.

“It’s tough to train under coach Bong but it’s worth it,” said Ikeda. “Imagine, getting up at 6 a.m. everyday for stretching and cardio warm-ups. By 8 a.m., we are on the putting green, play 18 or 27 holes then practice short game then putting again.

“We also spend one to two hours on the range, hitting balls at varied distances then back to the short game again. By 6-7 p.m, we hit the gym for weight training,” said Ikeda.

Lopez said his ward, who averages 260 yards off the mound, needs to improve more on her putting and short game, especially on trouble shots from 40-80 yards although he believes Ikeda can match the Koreans’ power on any given day.

Although it will be tough to at least match her eight-title romp this year, the bubbly shotmaker remains confident of dishing out another brilliant campaign in 2010, beginning with the Philippine Ladies Open slated Jan. 13-15 at Manila Southwoods.

What thrills her is the LPGA qualifier in September where she hopes to make the grade both in sectional and final qualifying stages and become the third Filipina to play in the world’s premier ladies event after Jennifer Rosales, now back under Lopez’s wings, and Fil-Am Dorothy Delasin.

Next comes the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November where she expects to lead again the team against the finest players in the region.

But first things first.

For now, Ikeda wants to savor her SEAG victory with her family back home in Davao, long considered as the spawning ground of golf talents in the country.