Superal seizes control with 70

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal shot a two-under 70 and grab a two-stroke lead over Thai Parinda Phokan halfway through the Singha Thailand Amateur Open at the Panya Indra Golf Club in Bangkok Wednesday.

Superal, who made a birdie-less 72 in the first round, hit three birdies this time, including on Nos. 11 and 12 then rescued a couple of pars to turn in a 36-34 card for a 142 aggregate.

That shoved the top ICTSI-backed bet past Phokan, who had a 144 after a 71 as opening day leader Supamas Sangchan skied to a 77 after an impressive 70 Wednesday for a 147.

“She had a tough time on the greens in the first round so she really practiced a lot on her putting,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez on his prized ward, who headed to the practice green late Wednesday to polish her stroke. 

She rolled in a six-footer for birdie on the fourth hole only to yield it back on a three-putt miscue on No. 8. But after back-to-back pars linking both nines of the tough par-72 layout, the former Singapore Ladies Am Open champion came through with superb iron shots that set up birdie chances inside seven feet on Nos. 11 and 12 then held on to seize control of the field.