Princess Superal rallies, tops Singapore tilt

Princess Superal closed out with a swashbuckling six-under-par 66 on Thursday to claim the 24th SICC-DBS Junior Invitational Golf Championship crown at Singapore Island Country Club’s Bukit course.

The 18-year-old Superal birdied her last three holes for a 54-hole 202 and a four-stroke victory in the Class A division over Inez Beatriz Wanamarta of Indonesia for her third international title in the last four weeks.

“I just went for the fairways and greens and made the most out of the birdie chances that came my way,” said Superal, the country’s top amateur who has long been ripe for the pros.

Wanamarta just couldn’t keep in step with the Filipino and settled for a 72 and 206, with countrywoman Riyano Sihotang also matching par to wind up third, 20 strokes behind Superal.

Superal, who lay two shots off the pace overnight, took the lead as Wanamarta went bogey-double bogey on Nos. 5 and 6.

Also finishing with 222 was young Bernice Olivarez-Ilas, the joint first-round leader who closed out with a 73.

Filipinos Annika Cedo fired a 77 for 225 and Anny Arevalo a 74 for 229.

Sharing the winner’s stage with Superal was Sofia Chabon, another The Country Club mainstay, who ruled Class B with a 219 after a 73, nipping teammate Michaela Fortuna by a stroke. Fortuna closed out with a 74. Musong R. Castillo