Double celebration for women parbusters

NAYPYITAW—Princess Superal fired an even-par 72 to clinch the individual title while powering the Philippines to the team gold in the women’s golf competition of the 27th Southeast Asian Games here Wednesday.

Boosted by a six-under 66 Tuesday, the 16-year-old from Dasmariñas, Cavite, cruised to a six-shot victory with her 210 total for 54 holes even as the female parbusters seized the team crown by 11 strokes over host Burma (Myanmar) at Royal Myanmar Golf Club.

Superal, who has been under the ICTSI golf program the past two years, nailed two birdies against a couple of bogeys. She came into the Games fresh off a win in the local pro tour, helping convince officials to send a team here.

Myanmar’s Yin May Myo matched Superal’s 72 and settled for the silver. Indonesia’s Tatiana Wijaya bagged the bronze with 217.

The twin kill in women’s play made up for the disappointment in the men’s event, where the Philippines finished a far sixth with an 866 total despite Rupert Zaragosa carding the best round of the day—a five-under 67.

The 15-year-old Zaragosa finished his campaign in ninth spot with a 285 total.

Free from the burden of expectation, the rookie-laden women’s squad regained the title last won in Laos four years ago with Mia Legaspi’s 73 also counting in the PH squad’s final-round 145 for a 428 total.

Burma pooled 149 for a 439 total while Thailand settled for the bronze with 440.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Superal, who became the first Filipino since Chihiro Ikeda in 2009 to bag the individual title.

“I was so nervous and excited to play the final round I woke up at 3:48 a.m,” she said with a laugh. “But it helped me settle down in my round early.”

Legaspi, the Asian Youth Games champion early this year, wound up sixth in individual play with 220, while the third member of the team, Katrina Deles Brion, whose 73 counted in the second round, finished 12th with 229.

The golfers came up with just a bronze in 2011 through now-pro Dottie Ardina.

Powered by gold medalist Danthai Boonma’s 10-under 278, Thailand took the men’s team gold by eight strokes with an 838 total. Burma grabbed the silver at 846 while Malaysia, led by silver medalist Gavin Green, took the bronze with 848.