Superal keeps 3-stroke lead over Del Rosario in Sabah

PRINCESS Superal slowed down in tough conditions and turned in a one-under 71, keeping a three-stroke lead intact over Pauline del Rosario, heading to the final round of the Sabah International Junior Masters at Sabah Golf Club in Kota Kinabalu late Saturday.

After sizzling with a bogey-free 69 in the first round, Superal struggled a bit in windy condition but hung tough to submit a two-birdie, one-bogey card to hold off her hot The Country Club teammate.

With a 140 total, Superal enjoys a big cushion in her bid to ending a long title spell while stopping the winning run of Del Rosario, who recently ruled the Thailand Amateur Open and Thailand Juniors.

Del Rosario hardly improved from an opening 72 with a 71 and stayed three off at 143 while Malaysian Nur Eliana bowed out of the title chase in the premier 16-18 division with a 77 for a 152.

Sam Martirez and Abby Arevalo also bombed out with identical 79s for 159s.

Bernice Olivarez Ilas and TCC teammate Mikhaela Fortuna braced for a shootout in the 13-15 category as they matched 75s to remain tied for the lead at 148.

Ng Yu Xuan, also from Malaysia, sputtered with a 78 for a 153 while Sofia Chabon skied to an 81 for a 156.