Superal cards 69, shares lead in Faldo Series

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal held her ground against some of the world’s leading amateurs in both the boys’ and girls’ sides, shooting a one-under 69 to force a four-way tie for the lead in the 18th Faldo Series Grand Final at the Greenbrier’s Old White TPC in West Virginia Wednesday.

Superal, the reigning US Girls Juniors champion who powered Team Phl to its first Santi Cup crown in the Putra Cup in Brunei two weeks ago, hit three birdies to negate her two missed-green bogeys on the par-70 layout to gain a piece of the lead in overall race with American Kelly Whaley, Czech Simon Zach and last year’s boys’ Under-18 champion Zachary Bouchou.

The Faldo Series Champion’s Trophy will be awarded to one overall champion, regardless of age-category or gender.

The Team ICTSI spearhead and Whaley’s 69s also put them in the lead in the girls’ Under-21 category of the 54-hole tournament which features some of the world’s top amateurs. Jilliane Hollis, also of the US, turned in a 71 for third.

Superal bucked a bogey mishap on No. 2 with back-to-back birdies inside seven feet from No. 6, only to drop another stroke on No. 15 before closing out with an eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 33-36 card.

Pauline del Rosario, Superal’s teammate at ICTSI stable and member of the Santi Cup champion team along with Miya Legaspi, made a one-over 71 but took a three-stroke lead over Scot Shannon McWilliam in the U-16 division. Emma Spitz of Austria hobbled with a 76.

Del Rosario actually struggled in the early going, bogeying Nos. 4, 5 and 10 but recovered her rhythm and bearing and birdied Nos. 11 and 17 to salvage a 36-35 round.

With the field, composed of 83 players from 20 countries, divided into five age-groups, the top three boys and two girls after 54 holes will each receive a trophy and an exemption into the Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in China next March. The leading boy and girl will also be invited to play in a professional Tour event and the title of Faldo Series Champion will go to the player with the lowest gross score, regardless of age or gender.