Arevalo trails by one in Jakarta int’l jungolf

MANILA, Philippines - Young Abegail Arevalo turned in an eagle-spiked even par 72 and took the cudgels for Team ICTSI-Philippines as spearhead Princess Superal hobbled with a 78, trailing local ace Ida Aru Indira by one at the start of the Pondok Indah International Junior golf tournament in Jakarta late Tuesday.

Arevalo birdied No. 9 from eight feet then buried her 7-iron approach shot from 140 yards on the par-4 15th for an eagle to negate a three-bogey mishap on the tough Pondok Indah Golf Course and put herself in early contention in the final tournament for Team ICTSI this year.

Ayu Indira shot two birdies against a bogey to fire a one-under 71 and seize a one-stroke lead over Arevalo while another ICTSI bet Sam Martirez rammed in two birdies on Nos. 2 and 10 against three bogeys that stood just a shot behind at 73.

Gavrilla Arya, also of Indonesia, carded a 75 while Superal, coming off a runaway victory in Singapore last week, failed to recover from a poor start and limped home with a 78, seven strokes off Ayu Indira.

The 16-year-old Superal, the reigning US Girls Juniors champion and fancied to reign in the premier 15-18 class following her seven-shot romp in the SICC Singapore Junior Invitational, struggled with her irons and dropped two shots on No. 7 after missing the green twice then bogeyed Nos. 8 and 9 to reel farther back.

She also groped for her putting form, making two three putts on Nos. 10 and 15 while missing at least three birdie putts from close range.

Sofia Chabon shot a 73 and likewise trailed by one behind Malaysian Ashley Lau in the 13-14 age group with ICTSI teammate Yuka Saso four shots behind with a 76 in a tie for third with Indonesia’s Ribka Vania.