Del Rosario struggles but makes KO phase

Pauline del Rosario carded a second straight 73 but still made it to the match play phase of the US Girls’ Junior at the par-70 Tulsa Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tuesday.

The 36-hole stroke play eliminations was halted due to darkness but the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet was among those who finished early and secured berths in the next phase, where play shifts from medal to match play.

Lois Kaye Go, who matched par 70 in the first round, and Annika Cedo, who opened with a 71, were also expected to join the top 64 players from a starting field of 156 into the knockout stage beginning Wednesday.

“Pau has been struggling with her iron game but we expect her to settle down in the match play phase although she has to dish out a solid round since she will be paired from among the top 15,” said Team ICTSI-TCC coach Bong Lopez.

Megan Khang, competing in her record-tying seventh US Girls’ Junior, sizzled with a solid 65 to earn low medal honors.

Khang’s 132 also tied the third lowest 36-hole score in the annual event won by Princess Superal, who became the first Philippine-born player to win a USGA event after nipping Mexican Marijosse Navarro on the 37th hole in Arizona last year.

Three 16-year-olds finished at four-under 136, including first round leader Sophie Liu of Canada, Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant and Chinese Muni He.

Mikha Fortuna, however, blew her bid with a 77 after a 73, finishing with a 150 and out of the Top 64.