Superal makes Women's Trans finals

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal bucked overwhelming odds and endured a one-hour rain delay to complete a pair of stirring victories that put the top ICTSI-backed bet into the finals of Women’s Trans National Golf Championship at the Members Club at Woodcreek in Columbia, South Carolina Friday.

Superal, 15, used exceptional putting to overcome Rika Park’s two-hole lead at the turn and pulled through on the second extra hole in their quarterfinal duel then overwhelmed Rinko Mitsunaga, 3&2, in the semifinals to gain a crack at the championship.

“She was so brilliant on the greens, making long, improbable putts,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “But she displayed a big fighting heart, never giving up against Park in the quarters.”

Superal goes for the crown against Breanna Elliott of Australia, who nipped Susanna Grunden, 2&1, in the quarters and thumped Vanessa Koechli, 4&3, in the semis, in a marathon 36-hole duel Saturday.

Superal’s amazing game also propelled the ICTSI-The Country Club team, which also includes also Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez, Mia Piccio, Lovelynn Guioguio and Jayvie Agojo, to the Howell Team Trophy title of the event for the third straight year.

Down by one against Mitsunaga, who booted out top seed Whitney Hillier in the second round, Superal rolled in a six-footer for birdie on the ninth to square the match then went 1-up with another birdie from 13 feet on No. 10.

She stayed hot on the greens when they came out of a one-hour delay, taking No. 14 to go 2-up before wrapping up the match with a scintillating 45-foot birdie on the 16th as Mitsunaga flubbed her own bid from 8 feet.

Against Park, Superal fell by two after nine holes but birdied the par-3 12th to close to within one. She took No. 15, another par-3, with a 14-foot birdie to draw level then salvaged par from 30 feet to halve the 16th. Both parred the last two holes to extend the match.

After both parred the first extra hole, Superal hit her approach shot on No. 2 from 35 feet off the cup while Park set up a 10-footer above the hole. To Park’s dismay, Superal made her putt from way out then missed her own bid, enabling the Filipina to steal the win.