Thai Yubol rallies to thwart Saso for crown

Apichaya Yubol of Thailand completed an improbable rally with a birdie on the 54th hole on Friday to salvage a level par 71 and turn back celebrated Filipino amateur Yuka Saso by a shot for the $100,000 ICTSI Manila Golf Ladies Classic title.

Yubol came charging back from three strokes down going into the final eight holes, capitalizing on Saso’s implosion in a five-hole stretch from No. 12 to tally 212 and book a breakthrough win in the local ladies’ tour.

It was a disappointing finish for Saso, who birdied the 10th and was working on a three-under card only to drop four shots in that five-hole span that let Yubol back in the tournament. She closed out with a 72.

Chang Tzu-Yi, another amateur from Chinese Taipei who held the second round lead, ballooned to a 75 but still checked in third, three shots off and tied with compatriot Chen Hsuan.

Pauline del Rosario submitted a second straight 72 to finish six shots off and be the second local bet in the Top 10. Princess Superal had a 74 and tied for 21st spot, 11 shots off the winning score.

“I really didn’t expect to win since this [tournament] is my first here [in the Philippines],” Yubol said after winning $17,500. I’m very happy, but it’s quite surprising.”

“Bad break derailed my game at the back. That’s golf,” said Saso, the reigning Asian Games champion who came here fresh from a third place finish in the first-ever Augusta Women’s Amateur in Georgia.