Thailand jungolfers seize control in Montecillo Cup

Princess Superal

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Thailand swept on top by three strokes in the girls’ division and by four in the boys’ category after the second round of the Montecillo Cup Junior Golf Championships at the windy Palmer layout of the Orchard Golf and Country Club Wednesday.

Benyapa Niphatsophon fired a five-under-par 67 and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras added a 72 for 139 and a 293 total as Team PH II of Princess Superal (76) and ICTSI teammate Bianca Pagdanganan (73) dropped to second with 149 for the day and 296 overall after 36 holes.

In boys play, Thailand, behind Sarit Suwannarut’s 66 and Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol’s 78 amassed a 144 for 290 to grab the lead over Team PH II of Clyde Mondilla (73) and Christopher Arevalo (75), which totaled 294 after a 148.

Erstwhile leader Team PH I of Gio Gandionco (73) and Raymart Tolentino (77) could do no better than a 150 for 295 while Team PH III, of LJ Go and Carlos Packing, was fourth with 154 for 310.

Superal struggled on her home course after a superb 68 lifted her team on top Tuesday.

She missed a par-saving putt from 16 feet on the first hole, drained a five-footer for her lone birdie on No. 2 then dropped shots on Nos. 10, 11, 14 and 15 in the back nine.

“I really didn’t play bad today. It’s just that my putting was off, unlike in the first round,” said Superal.

Fancied Andrea Unson and Miya Legaspi carded a 71 and 73, respectively, for Team PH I’s 144 for 303 and third overall in the four-day event sponsored by ICTSI, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, Sizzling Pepper, Philippine Airlines, Pioneer Insurance, and McDonald’s.

Sarah Jane Ababa (78) and Samantha Martirez (77) had a 155 for 309 in the tournament also backed by Hidden Springs, Julie’s Bake Shop, Inquirer Golf Monthly, Friends of JGFP, Duty Free Philippines, R&A, and the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP).