Superal, Chabon sweep Ambank Open

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal and Sofia Chabon completed Team ICTSI’s sweep of the RSGC Ambank Junior Amateur Open 2014 as heavy rains washed out the final round of the 54-hole championship at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday.

But with or without the downpour, the young Filipina bets had virtually wrapped up the 18- and 15-and-under crowns after two rounds of play with Superal posting an insurmountable 18-stroke lead over Nyca Khaw Wen Huei and Chabon going six shots ahead of Chiara Arya.

Superal remained 17 shots ahead of Huei when play was stopped after nine holes in the premier class due to adverse weather conditions, forcing the organizers to cancel the third round altogether and hand the top prizes to the Team ICTSI mainstays.

Chabon kept her six-shot lead intact after 14 holes in the 15-and-under category.

Superal’s runaway victory thus bettered her 13-stroke romp in the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Open last February while Chabon nailed her first win this year.

The 17-year-old Superal, priming up for next month’s Malaysian Amateur Open, opened with a 71 and took a nine-stroke lead as her rivals struggled at the tight par-72 layout then pulled away with a two-under 70 in the second round.

Chabon, on the other hand, rebounded from a woeful opening 76 with a gutsy 72 as she grabbed a six-shot lead over Arya, who moved up to second with a 154 after a 75, after erstwhile leader Mikhaela Fortuna skied to an 82 after a 73.

Superal also swept the daily medals in her class while Fortuna and Chabon split the honors in their side of the tournament.