Saso fires 69, rules Jakarta Jr World

Yuka  Escalora Saso closed with a three-under-par 69 Thursday to rule the Jakarta Junior World Championship by a whopping 11 shots at Damai Indah Golf Club BSD course in Indonesia.

The Filipino-Japanese shot five birdies, including three straight from the fourth hole, to negate two bogeys for nines of 34-35 and a 54-hole total of 216 counting earliers rounds of 73 and 74.

The newest Team ICTSI member outclassed the Class C field that included Thailand’s Rina Tatematsu, who finished with 227 after a 73. Malaysian Allycia Gan settled for third after a 73 for 238.

“She was all focused despite a seven-shot lead in the first two rounds,” said ICTSI coach Bong Lopez, who took the 12-year-old under his wings last April. “That’s the mark of a good player.”

It was Saso’s second straight overseas win. She nipped teammate Mikha Fortuna via a countback to bag the 15-and-below crown in the Jack Nicklaus Juniors Championship in Mission Hills, Shenzhen, two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Princess Superal hobbled home with a 75 and fell to fifth at 147 after two rounds in Class A paced by Thailand’s Preedasuttuit Kanyalak, who had a 142 after a solid four-under 68.

Abby Arevalo rallied with a 71 to be at 149 while Sam Martirez shot a 74 for 151, also in Class A.