Del Rosario snares Thai Jr World title

The Philippines’ Pauline del Rosario rallied from four strokes down with nine holes to play to best Taiwan’s Chen Hsuan by one shot with an eagle-spiked 68 and snatch the Singha Thailand Junior World Championship crown at Royal Huahin Golf Course in Thailand on Sunday.

Del Rosario’s final-round charge capped a remarkable fightback from an opening-day 78 in the 72-hole tournament. Together with middle rounds of 67 and 72, the top The Country Club player pooled a three-under-par 285 for the premier Class A title, just one clear of Chen who closed with a 71.

Her victory came after an equally tough triumph in the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open last week in Pattaya.

“I knew I still have a chance despite falling by four with nine holes left,” said the 17-year-old Del Rosario. “I hit two good shots on No. 1 and made an eagle and that kept me going.”

After Chen birdied the 17th and 18th holes—the last two holes in the final flight’s front nine—to pull ahead by four, Del Rosario gunned down an eagle on the par-5 No. 1 and came within one as Chen missed a five-footer for par.

Chen held the lead until No. 8 (17th hole) when Del Rosario landed a fine approach shot to within four feet for birdie.

Del Rosario sewed it up with a routine par on No. 9 as Chen muffed a six-footer for par.

“Pau showed class in winning this one,” said TCC coach Nestor Mendoza. “She kept on pressing and believed in herself.”

Yuka Saso completed the Philippines’ romp, also coming from behind to rule Class B on a 75-296, two clear of Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand (79-298).