Lee sews it up by three

MANILA, Philippines – With a performance that certainly announced her readiness to turn professional, Korean teenager Lee Jeong-hwa thwarted all pursuers Friday to win the 50th playing of the Philippine Ladies’ Open.

The 17-year-old Lee drained clutch par putts on the last three holes to salvage a three-over-par 75 and beat the tiny but hard-fighting Princess Superal of the Philippines by three shots at the unforgiving Wack Wack East layout in Mandaluyong.

It was the first national title for Lee, a Busan native who is being trained by her father to turn pro ever since she was 11.

She plays her final amateur tournament next month in the WWWExpress-DHL Amateurs in Canlubang.

“I’m definitely going to qualifying school in March,” said the charming Lee, who calls Southwoods in Laguna her home course in the country. “Today was a big test, and I am happy that I won.”

Lee tallied a 54-hole total of 217, three clear of Superal who closed with a 74. Lovelyn Guioguio was third, seven shots behind after a 74.

While Lee won, Superal never abandoned her chase of the Korean until the final shot.

Two down going to the 18th and with Lee pushing her 3-wood shot off the tee to the heavily wooded rough, Superal found the left greenside bunker on her approach and still held a slim chance of forging a playoff.

Superal then hit a long blast to the flag, her ball grazing the cup to the delight of a small gallery.

Left with a 12-foot putt after a pitching wedge third shot from just about 100 yards, Lee extinguished Superal’s hopes by calmly draining the par-saver before pumping her right fist in victory.

For sure, it was not a very pretty round for Lee, who looked like she would give up a four-stroke overnight lead on No. 11 where she signed for a wet triple bogey 7 and on No. 12 which she bogeyed, allowing Superal to creep within two.

Then came Lee’s magnificent effort on the quick greens in the last three holes, draining putts to save pars and put the tournament away.

Sunshine Baraquiel fired a 73 and Claire Legaspi shot a 74 to share fourth at 226, one clear of Thai Savitree Thavong who shot a 75.

Former champion Jayvie Agojo fired a 78 and also tallied 227.

Supamas Sangchan of Thailand was eighth with a 229 while Felicia Medalla, who zoomed into contention with a 69 Thursday, skied to an 83 and finished at 231, tied with Sarah Ababa (78).

The final scores (Filipina unless stated):
217—HL Lee (Kor) 74-68-75; 220—P. Superal 76-70-74; 224—L. Guioguio 79-71-74; 226—C. Legaspi 78-74-74, S. Baraquiel 78-75-73; 227—S. Thavong (Tha) 78-74-75, J. Agojo 75-74-78; 229—S. Sangchan (Tha) 76-76-77; 231—S. Ababa 79-74-78, F. Medalla 79-69-83; 232—A. Unson 76-76-80, P. Sakdee (Tha) 83-75-74; 236—Y. Kawinpakorn (Tha) 78-80-78; 237—J. Vasandani 83-79-75, P. Ariyamatepreecha (Tha) 79-79-79