Superal reaches LPGA final stage

MANILA, Philippines — Princess Superal bucked a cold start with a fiery windup, saving an even par 72 to safely make it to the Final Stage of the LPGA of Japan Tour Qualifying Tournament at the Sanya Golf Club in Okayama Prefecture in Japan late Thursday.

In danger of missing the final cut after a disastrous triple bogey on the par-4 No. 10 for a four-over card, Superal put on a gutsy stand to secure her berth in the 72-hole final leg of the grueling four-stage qualifier that stakes 20-plus-ties berths in next year’s LPGA of Japan Tour.

She struck back with a birdie on the 11th then came through with a three-birdie binge from No. 13 to salvage a 37-35 round in cold condition and a three-day total of three-under 213 that included rounds of 70 and 71.

The newly crowned Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion tied Ryuro Kurata (68) and Mizuka Suzuki (69) at 15th but ended up at 17th after the countback, joining 40 others into the last phase along with the top 41 finishers in the other qualifier at the Katsuragi Golf Club in Shizuoka.

“I’m so happy to make it to the Final Stage,” said Superal, seeking to become the first Filipina to play on the region’s most lucrative ladies pro circuit.” But it’s going to be tough with so many strong players and a limited number of slots to be disputed.”

The 82 players will head to the Grand Oak Golf Club in Hyogo on Nov. 27-30 with the top 20 plus ties earning cards for next year’s LPGA of Japan Tour, which held 38 tournaments this year.