Superal fires 69, shares Faldo lead

Young Filipino internationalist Princess Superal opened with aplomb against some of the world’s leading amateurs, carding a one-under 69 to forge a four-way tie for the lead in the 18th Faldo Series Grand Final at Greenbrier’s Old White TPC in West Virginia Wednesday.

Superal, the reigning US Girls Juniors champion fresh off a stalwart performance in Team Philippines’ maiden victory at the Santi Cup (Southeast Asian women’s golf team championship) in Brunei two weeks ago, hit three birdies to cushion two missed-green bogeys.

She shared the all-comers lead with Kelly Whaley of the United States, Simon Zach of the Czech Republic and last year’s boys’ Under-18 titlist Zachary Bouchou.

The Faldo Series champion’s trophy will be awarded to the overall champion, regardless of age category or gender.

Superal and Whaley also tied for the lead in the girls’ Under-21 category of the 54-hole tournament.

Pauline del Rosario, Superal’s teammate at the ICTSI stable and the Santi Cup squad along with Miya Legaspi, shot a 71 and led Shannon McWilliam of Scotland by three strokes in the U-16 division.