Superal 5 shots off the pace

Princess Superal birdied two of the last five holes to salvage an even par 72 and stood five strokes off joint leaders German Sophia Popov and Canadian Samantha Richdage in her Symetra Tour debut in the IOA Championship in Beaumont, California on Friday.

The former US Girls’ Open champion appeared headed for a disastrous start in big-time golf after fumbling with three straight bogeys from No. 5 after birdying No. 3.

But the Filipino sandwiched another bogey with birdies on Nos. 12 and 14 then birdied the par-5 16th to wheel back into contention.

Clariss Guce, carded a 73 and stayed in the projected cut-off score at one-over but compatriots Mia Piccio (75) and Dottie Ardina (77) are in danger of missing the cut.