Pauline backstops PH sweep

PAULINE del Rosario and Bernice Olivarez Ilas completed a pair of wire-to-wire victories in their respective divisions while Mikhaela Fortuna outsteadied Malaysian Siti Shaargi to cop the 13-14 crown and complete Team ICTSI-Philippines’ awesome sweep of the 2013 Kids World Golf Championship Malaysia in Johor on Thursday.

Del Rosario matched her one-under 71 in the first round at Pulai Springs course to rule the 54-hole tournament with a 214 total, beating Indonesian Gavvilla Arya by a whopping 16-strokes in the premier 15-18 category.

Arya closed out with a 76 for 230 while Thai Saranlak Tumfung turned in a 75 for third at 235. Sam Martirez, the other ICTSI-backed bet, fumbled with an 81 for 240.

The reigning Junior World champion in the 13-14 age bracket, Del Rosario capped her sterling season after placing a strong third in the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour event in Baguio last October.

Ilas posted the more impressive romp, shooting a second straight two-under 70 at Palm Resort’s Cempaka course to whip Butsakorn Moonfong by 20 shots in the 11-years category.

Ilas finished with a 214 total while her Thai rival pooled 234 after a 76. Myanmar’s Thin Wai Khaing ended up third at 248 after a 79.

Fortuna capped the Filipino golfers’ domination of the annual event by topping her division despite a 76 for a 226 total, two in front of Shaargi.

Fortuna shared the overnight lead with Shaargi (78). Indonesian Rivana Sinotung shot a 75 for third at 233.