Fortuna conquers Jr. KL golf

Mikhaela Fortuna carded back-to-back four-under-par 68s and bested Malaysian Winnie Ng by one for the 12th 100Plus Malaysian Junior Open Championship crown at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

Recovering from an even 72 in the first round, Fortuna finished with a 208, foiling Ng, who shot a 68, 71 and 70 for 209.

Three Malaysians took the next spots with Natasha Oon carding a 75 to share third place with Liyana Durisic, who had a 77, at 218. Ashley Lau wound up fifth at 219 after a 69.

Sofia Chabon and Bernice Ilas-Olivarez, Fortuna’s teammates in The Country Club stable, wound up 10th and 13th at 226 and 229 after a 75 and 78, respectively.

“I just hung in there and tried not to be intimidated by Ng’s rally,” said Fortuna, who is heading to Oklahoma University next year on a scholarship. “I’m so happy to have pulled it off.”

The win snapped a long title spell for Fortuna, one of TCC coach Bong Lopez’s wards who has qualified for the US Girls’ Championship the last three years but last tasted victory in the FCG Challenge Cup in 2016.

Fortuna trailed Ng by one heading to the final round, but sizzled with a three-under card after nine holes and tied Ng, who had a 34, for the lead.