PH Ladies Open: Thai champ coasts past Superal
ANTIPOLO—Defending champion Supamas Sangchan of Thailand pulled away from Princess Superal by six shots on the front nine and then coasted to a four-stroke victory despite a closing 73 Friday in the 2014 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open Golf Championship.
A playoff winner over Dottie Ardina last year, Supamas was in complete control this time as Superal, the reigning Southeast Asian Games individual champion, struggled with poor driving and iron play and hobbled home with a 75 at the wind-raked Forest Hills Golf and Country Club.
“I’m happy to win the Ladies Open again,” said Sangchan, who endured six extra holes and a hostile crowd in last year’s finals at Mt. Malarayat.
The first Thai to score consecutive wins in the event presented by Champion Infinity and organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines finished with a 54-hole total of 214 after earlier rounds of 71-70.
After firing a 68 to trail by two going into the final round, Superal lost her sharp form overnight.
She started with a double bogey, took a triple on No. 5 after three-putting following an errant drive and trailed by six with nine holes left.
“I tried my best but Supamas played well,” said Superal, who still eagled No. 10 to finish on 218.
Daniella Uy rallied with a two-under 70 to wind up joint third at 221 with Thais Pannarat Thanapoonbolyaras and Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong, who both matched par.
Pauline del Rosario, who paced the international field with a 68 in the first round, failed to bounce back from a second-round 76 and limped home with a 78 for sixth at 222.
Malaysian Michelle Koh carded a 74-223 for seventh, Thai Sukapan Budsabakorn shot a 71-224 for eighth while Harmie Constantino turned in a 75-225 for ninth. Bianca Pagdanganan was 10th after a 76-226.
Other backers of the annual event: Meralco, Jungolf, Holland Blooms, Duty Free, Nike Golf, Alabang Ladies, Orchard Ladies, Manila Golf Ladies, Canlubang Ladies, Tagaytay Ladies and Forest Hills Ladies Cirle, Other supporters are Dept. of Tourism, Spectrum Graphics and Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Universal Robina Corp. and C2 and media partners Impact Magazine and Inquirer, and hole-in-one sponsors TIB and Forest Hills.
