Superal pads lead to 3, powers Phl to crown

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal carded a second straight even-par 73 to pull away by three over Malaysian Diane Luke and Pauline del Rosario while leading Team ICTSI/Philippines to victory in team competition in the Royal Selangor Golf Club Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship at the RSGC layout in Malaysia Wednesday.

Superal hit another late birdie on No. 14 to overcome a one-over card and pool a 36-hole haul of 146 for a three-shot cushion over Luke, who hardly improved from an opening 75 with a 74 for a 149.

The Team ICTSI spearhead also birdied Nos. 4 and 6 but dropped shots on Nos. 2, 8 and 10.

Del Rosario, who won in the Junior World in San Diego recently, fought back with a 73 after a 76 to tie Luke heading to the final round of the 54-hole tournament that features some of the leading amateurs in the region.

Michelle Koh, also of Malaysia, matched par 73 but lay five shots off Superal with a 151.

The other Team ICTSI bets, however, stood way behind with Abby Arevalo carding a 77 for a 157, Sofia Chabon limping with a 79 for a 159, and Mika Fortuna also shooting a 77 for a 161.

Superal and del Rosario, meanwhile, combined for a 146 and a 295 to beat Malaysia, which had a 147-300, for the team crown in the 36-hole competitions. Thailand wound up third with a 331 after a 168.