Del Rosario leads Pinoys’ 1-2-3 finish

Pauline del Rosario closed out with a three-under-par 69 and won the Melaka Amateur Open by a whopping eight strokes over a faltering Mikhaela Fortuna and Bernice Olivares-Ilas last Sunday at A’Famosa Golf & Country Club in Malaysia.

Rumored to be turning pro soon, Del Rosario bounced back from a second-round 75 with four birdies against a bogey in the final day to tally 209.

Del Rosario, who also helped Manila Southwoods-Masters win a sixth straight PAL Ladies Interclub title in Baguio last month, opened up with a 65.

Ilas also had her own rally, carding a 71 to catch Fortuna in second spot as the overnight leader closed out with a 76, giving The Country Club team under Bong Lopez a 1-2-3 finish.

The win also gave Del Rosario, winner of the Future Champions Golf and Ping Series leg in the US early this year, the momentum as she goes for another crown in the Penang Open firing off Thursday, also in Malaysia.  —Musong R. Castillo