Young Korean foils Superal

LAUREL, Batangas—Korean Hwang Min-jeong emerged victorious on her pro debut by edging reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Princess Superal for the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic crown on a closing 70 here on Thursday.

Hwang, who topped a pro tournament at Mt. Malarayat as a 14-year-old amateur, leaned on a two-shot swing against Superal on No. 12 to hike her lead to four then kept her poise in the face of the latter’s late charge to pocket the title by the slimmest of margins.

Superal, who closed to within one after 36 holes with a 68 Wednesday, fell a stroke short of forging a playoff.

Hwang finished with a six-under 210 total worth P150,000 and admitted feeling “nervous every time Princess putts because I know she’d make it anytime.”

But Superal settled for a 211 and received P95,000.