Amateurs up but Superal makes move

BINANGONGAN, Rizal—Pauline del Rosario fired a three-under 69 to grab a one-stroke lead over Bernice Olivarez-Ilas as The Country Club’s amateur aces showed up the pros in the field in the second round of the ICTSI Eastridge Ladies Invitational at Eastridge Golf Club yesterday.

But a name familiar to the country’s top amateurs shot up the leaderboard to force what could be a tight finish for the crown.

Rookie pro Princess Superal, long-time anchor of the Philippine women’s teams, came through with a birdie-eagle finish to save a 71 and join Chihiro Ikeda (72) at third at 142.

The two are just two strokes off Del Rosario, who rode strong nines to pool a 140 and lead the P750,000 championship sponsored by ICTSI.

“We struggled a bit at the front due to wet condition,” said Del Rosario. “The greens were a bit bumpy and slow but we were still able to pull through.”

Cyna Rodriguez fired a 73 after birdieing two of the last three holes as the two-time Order of Merit winner of the ICTSI ladies’ tour fell four shots off the pace at 144.

Kayla Nocum and Mikha Fortuna, also part of the TCC squad, took the next two spots with 70-145 and 74-147, respectively.