Mikha Fortuna thrives in playing match. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Mikha Fortuna will be opening defense of her ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational against one of the tour’s rising young stars in Jiwon Lee of South Korea.

And she’s more than willing to take on the challenge.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I totally love playing match play,” said Fortuna, the former University of Oklahoma standout who thumped Laurea Duque, 7&5 in last year’s final. “I played so many college matches back in Oklahoma, so I really enjoy the feeling of it.”

The P1.5-million women’s event gets going on Nov. 26 at windswept The Country Club in Laguna, with Harmie Constantino, after winning the Order of Merit title, seeded first.

Falling short

“Jiwon is definitely a great player,” said Fortuna. “Knowing that she’ll be my first match, it’s going to be a great and competitive one, which I like. But I’m not setting any expectations—I’ll just stick to my game and enjoy the experience.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Despite that big win last year, Fortuna didn’t win a tour title this year, falling short—interestingly enough—by a shot to Lee in the Splendido leg in Tagaytay.

“Overall, I’d say my season was okay. I had many opportunities to win, but that’s golf—it can be unpredictable,” she said. “There’s still so much to improve. But looking back, I’m happy with my performance. This week being the last, I’ll give it everything I have.”

The top 16 players of last season advanced to the match play.

Constantino faces Kayla Nocum, while second-ranked Sarah Ababa battles Pamela Mariano with third-ranked Chihiro Ikeda facing Kristine Fleetwood in the other notable opening round matchups.